MISSOULA — Travis John Branson, a 48-year-old man from Cusick, Washington, has pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to hunt and kill bald and golden eagles and illegally trafficking them across state lines. U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich announced the guilty plea, marking a significant development in a case that highlights the illegal black market trade of protected wildlife.
Branson’s guilty plea, entered today, includes conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and a violation of the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act is a crucial piece of legislation that prohibits the trade of wildlife taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of federal or state law. It also criminalizes the falsification of records related to wildlife intended for interstate or foreign commerce.
Court documents reveal that Branson’s illegal activities spanned from approximately January 2015 to March 2021. During this period, Branson and his accomplices engaged in hunting and killing eagles within the Flathead Indian Reservation. These illegally obtained eagles were then sold on the black market throughout the United States and potentially internationally.
According to the allegations, Branson traveled from Washington state to the Flathead Reservation to meet with co-defendant Simon Paul. Together, they would shoot, transport, and ship bald and golden eagles specifically for sale on the black market. Simon Paul remains at large as a fugitive.
Evidence presented in court detailed specific instances of Branson’s illegal trade. On March 1, 2021, a purchaser inquired about eagle feathers for sale. Branson responded by sending photographs of golden eagle tail feathers, as depicted here:
Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office
The purchaser then sent Branson $650 via PayPal, and Branson shipped a package containing the eagle feathers, which the purchaser confirmed receiving via text message.
Further investigation revealed that on March 13, 2021, Branson shot and killed a golden eagle near Polson, Montana. Law enforcement subsequently stopped Branson and discovered the feet and feathers of the recently killed golden eagle in his vehicle, shown in the image below:
Photo: U.S. Attorney’s Office
The remaining carcass of the golden eagle was later recovered by law enforcement in a nearby field.
The vehicle stop also led to the seizure of multiple cell phones. A federal search warrant for these phones uncovered numerous photos and text messages that provided extensive evidence of Branson’s systematic shooting, killing, and selling of bald and golden eagles across the United States. These communications clearly demonstrated Branson’s awareness of the illegality of his actions and that he lacked any permits for these activities.
In one revealing exchange, while negotiating a price for eagle feathers, Branson explicitly stated to a potential buyer:
“I don’t get em for free though ..out hear committing felonies”
In another message to a potential buyer, Branson chillingly mentioned his intention to acquire more eagle tails by “[g]oing on a killing spree.”
Branson also acknowledged the illegality of international shipping of eagle parts, stating:
“International is still illegal ..I just get em for 99 cents ..price of a bullet..lol”
For the conspiracy and Lacey Act charges, Branson faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. The unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles charge, a misdemeanor for the first conviction, carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, a $5,000 fine, and one year of supervised release. However, due to the felony enhancement provision for second or subsequent convictions of unlawful trafficking, Branson could face up to two years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and one year of supervised release for each trafficking count.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided over the plea hearing. Sentencing has been scheduled for July 31 before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. The court will determine Branson’s sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legally mandated factors. Branson remains released pending further proceedings.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan G. Weldon and Randy Tanner. The investigation was a collaborative effort by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Flathead Tribal Law Enforcement.
