Man Sentenced for Wildlife Trafficking in Montana

Travis John Branson, a man from Cusick, Washington, helped kill at least 118 eagles as part of a long-running wildlife trafficking ring that allegedly resulted in the deaths of thousands of birds. He is set to be sentenced on September 18, facing a request from prosecutors for significant imprisonment and restitution of $777,250 for his illegal activities, which included selling eagle parts for $180,000 to $360,000 between 2009 and 2021. Branson's attorney contends that the prosecution has inflated the number of birds killed, referencing statements from a co-defendant, Simon Paul, who remains at large. The attorney also argues against restitution for hawks, claiming those killings were not part of the initial indictment. Eagle parts are highly valued in Native American ceremonies, adding complexity to the case. The outcome of this case raises broader concerns about wildlife trafficking and its impact on protected species.