Man who killed eagles on a Native American reservation gets nearly 4 years in prison

Associated Press

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — A Washington state man who authorities say led a wildlife trafficking ring on a Native American reservation in Montana that killed thousands of eagles and hawks was sentenced to nearly four years in prison. He must also pay more than $777,000 in restitution. The sentencing was on Thursday. Prosecutors said the defendant was part of a trafficking ring that killed at least 118 eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere and sold their parts on the black market. Feathers and other parts of birds are widely used by Native Americans in ceremonies and during powwows. Travis John Branson pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy and wildlife trafficking.