Two men from Montana, Simon Paul and Travis John Branson, face indictments for their alleged involvement in the killing of approximately 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles, and subsequent sale on the black market.
Charges were filed against Paul and Branson on December 7, citing conspiracy, unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and violations of the Lacey Act, as per the federal indictment lodged in the US District Court in Montana.
The Lacey Act, enacted in 1900, is designed to combat the trafficking of illegally obtained wildlife, fish, or plants, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
It’s uncertain whether Paul and Branson have secured legal representation at this juncture.
The indictment accuses them of conspiring to illegally kill, transport, offer for sale, and sell bald and golden eagles between January 2015 and March 2021, primarily on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Western Montana.
Branson, who traveled from Washington to Montana, purportedly carried out the bird shootings, with Paul, residing on the Flathead Indian Reservation, allegedly assisting as a “shooter” and “shipper” for Branson, as outlined in the indictment.
Branson reportedly informed buyers that he was engaged in a “killing spree” to procure eagle tail feathers for future sales. The indictment notes that a set of golden eagle tail feathers sent to a buyer in Texas was among the items sold.
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act prohibits the unauthorized “taking” of bald or golden eagles or their parts, including feathers, without a permit.
While the bald eagle population has rebounded significantly, with an estimated 316,700 individuals as of 2019, as reported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, it remains a symbol of national significance.
“The bald eagle is not merely a bird of biological interest, but this country’s national symbol, which reflects America’s ideals of freedom,” the indictment emphasizes.
