Current:Home > BackMen charged with illegal killing of 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles to sell-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Men charged with illegal killing of 3,600 birds, including bald and golden eagles to sell
View Date:2024-12-23 18:55:26
MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A federal grand jury in Montana has indicted two men accused of killing about 3,600 birds, including bald eagles and golden eagles, and selling them on the black market.
The indictment returned in U.S. District Court last week charges Simon Paul and Travis John Branson with 13 counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles and one count each of conspiracy and violating the Lacey Act, which prohibits trafficking of illegally taken wildlife.
“The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was enacted in 1940 to protect the bald eagle, recognizing that 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 states. The act was extended in 1962 to include golden eagles.
Branson, Paul and others hunted and killed thousands of birds, including eagles, on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere, then illegally sold them for significant sums of cash across the United States and elsewhere, the indictment states.
Investigators found messages from Branson and others describing the illegal taking of eagles, saying he was “committing felonies” and telling buyers he was “on a killing spree” to collect more eagle tail feathers for future sales, according to the indictment.
The indictment alleges that Paul and Branson conspired to kill and sell the eagles illegally near Ronan, Montana, from 2015 and 2021. From 2019 and 2021, Branson traveled from Washington state to the reservation to shoot the eagles, and Paul, who lived near the reservation, was a shooter and shipper for Branson.
“When Branson arrived on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Paul would meet and help kill, transport, and ship bald and golden eagles for future sales on the black market,” the indictment states.
Paul and Branson were issued summons to appear for arraignments on Jan. 8.
Court documents do not list attorneys for Paul or Branson.
veryGood! (34235)
Related
- Sydney Sweeney Slams Women Empowerment in the Industry as Being Fake
- Reneé Rapp Details Most Rewarding Experience of Her Coming Out Journey
- Baywatch’s Nicole Eggert Shaves Her Head Amid Breast Cancer Diagnosis
- Truck driver charged with negligent homicide in deadly super fog 168-car pileup in Louisiana
- NFL coaches diversity report 2024: Gains at head coach, setbacks at offensive coordinator
- The Best Cooling Sheets to Keep You Comfy & Sweat-Free, All Night Long
- Amazon’s Big Spring Sale Is Coming! Score Early Deals, like This $179 Facial Steamer for Just $29 & More
- Michigan fires basketball coach, 'Fab Five' legend Juwan Howard after five seasons
- Michelle Obama Is Diving Back into the Dating World—But It’s Not What You Think
- Denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, a Japanese high court says
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Take the Day Off
- McDonald’s system outages are reported around the world
- See Exes Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida Reunite in Married to Medicine Reunion Preview
- Biden backs Schumer after senator calls for new elections in Israel
- Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
- 'Significant injuries' reported in Indiana amid tornado outbreak, police can't confirm deaths
- Pierce Brosnan pleads guilty to Yellowstone National Park violation, ordered to pay $1,500
- Man wins $1 million on Mega Millions and proposes to longtime girlfriend
Recommendation
-
Firefighters make progress, but Southern California wildfire rages on
-
‘Civil War,’ an election-year provocation, premieres at SXSW film festival
-
Kensington Palace Is No Longer a “Trusted Source” After Kate Middleton Edited Photo, AFP Says
-
'Bee invasion' suspends Carlos Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev match at BNP Paribas Open
-
Kirk Herbstreit berates LSU fans throwing trash vs Alabama: 'Enough is enough, clowns'
-
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calls for new election in Israel amid increasing criticism of Netanyahu
-
LSU's investment in Kim Mulkey has her atop women's college basketball coaches pay list
-
Bhad Bhabie Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby With Boyfriend Le Vaughn