Suspect convicted of killing eagles, hawks on Flathead Reservation

MISSOULA – The man who admitted killing more than 100 eagles and thousands of other birds on the Flathead Indian Reservation to sell them on the black market was sentenced Thursday to nearly four years in prison.

Travis John Branson of Washington pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy and wildlife trafficking.

He and several others killed at least 118 eagles and 3,600 other birds in a poaching operation on tribal lands.

Prosecutors say Branson traveled from Washington to shoot, transport and ship bald and golden eagles for future black market sales.

Branson was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison.

He was also ordered to pay nearly $800,000 in restitution, which equates to $5,000 per eagle killed and $1,700 per hawk killed.

The killing of eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation highlights black market demand