Man convicted of killing thousands of eagles and hawks in Montana

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – Travis John Branson of Washington state was sentenced Thursday afternoon at the Russell Smith Federal Courthouse in Missoula for killing thousands of federally protected eagles and hawks on the Flathead Reservation and giving their parts to the sold to the highest bidders.

Montana U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich spoke to reporters outside the courthouse after the verdict.

Travis Branson convicted of killing thousands of eagles and hawks

“Recognizing that eagles are not only birds of biological interest, but also the national symbol of this country, reflecting America's ideals of freedom, federal laws were enacted to protect bald and golden eagles,” Laslovich began. “Travis Branson and others ignored these laws and hunted and slaughtered thousands of eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation for over 30 years, then sold them on the black market in the United States and elsewhere.”

Laslovich said Branson bragged about what he called “shooting sprees.”

Laslovich said Branson 'bragged' about his 'shooting sprees'

“Mr. Branson bragged about his 'killing sprees,'” he said. “He slaughtered every bird and sold its parts for big money, and he did it year after year without hesitation. His lack of respect for the sanctity of these protected birds only had a cause; greed, as the court just said.”

Laslovich said Branson faces several years in federal prison with no possibility of parole.

“He just thought he could do whatever he wanted without consequences because he had been doing it for so long,” he said. “This ignorant and illegal thinking ends today. I am pleased to announce that just moments ago Mr. Branson was sentenced to prison for his heinous and illegal actions. Specifically, he will spend the next 46 months in a federal prison.”

Laslovich said Branson would also be responsible for financial restitution in addition to his prison sentence.

Branson will spend nearly four years in federal prison and pay restitution

“He will pay compensation; or at least was ordered to pay $770,250 in restitution, which is $5,000 per eagle killed and $1,750 per hawk killed. We believe that he killed thousands of birds during the relevant period, so much so that Mr. Branson bragged that he had killed so many birds that he could no longer remember.”

Laslovich said Thursday's verdict was just the beginning of legal action against those responsible.

“We cannot get back the hundreds, if not thousands, of eagles and hawks slaughtered by Mr. Branson, but we can and we will hold those who do so accountable, just as we did with Mr. Branson. “Today,” he said. There will be more to come and we all look forward to seeing justice served in these cases too.”

Laslovich did not comment on the identities of other people who may have been involved in the killing of the protected birds.