Man sentenced for killing eagles, hawks on Flathead Reservation

[Ptah]

Source: KPAX (Misou;a MT TV)

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

Travis John Branson of Cusick, Washington, and formerly of the Flathead Reservation, pleaded guilty in March to conspiracy and wildlife trafficking charges for the unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles and violation of the Lacey Act.

The Lacey Act prohibits interstate trade in wildlife that has been taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of federal or state law.

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

Read more: https://www.kpax.com/news/crime-and-courts/man-sentenced-for-killing-eagles-hawks-on-flathead-reservation

[cilla4progress]

1. Disgusting

...

[marble falls]

2. Depraved.

[avebury]

3. He got off way too lightly.

He should have gotten a longer sentence plus a significantly high fine that only goes away when fully paid.

[Owl]

4. I agree. Too lenient.

[maxsolomon]

15. Poachers rarely get lengthy sentences.

Despite flagrant, repeated flouting of laws they clearly know about.

[Clouds Passing]

5. 4 years isn't long enough

[bahboo]

6. NOT LONG ENOUGH....what the fuck....

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. Evil person.

They exist. Unfortunately.

Sentence is too light. Bastard needs to be fed to the eagles and hawks as far as I am concerned.

[Mosby]

8. It would be great if they tracked down some of the buyers

And charged them as well. He must have records, addresses right?

[Beringia]

19. Exactly, put the fear of God into them

[electric_blue68]

9. Just Awful!!! And, yeah, a longer sentence!

[Ptah]

10. I am astounded that he kill nearly 4,000 birds.

That's some sick obsession.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

11. Should be sentenced to a lifetime of service, under close supervision, of wildlife conservancy.

[stompanata]

12. Where is the mugshot?

Every article just shows Eagle feathers. He's done a great job keeping his face off the internet.

[Blue_Roses]

13. Only 4 years?

[republianmushroom]

14. Sentence about 10 years short. IMO

[maxsolomon]

16. Cusick is where the Kalispel Tribe is headquartered.

He lived on the Flathead Rez before Cusick.

Is this guy a Native, and he was selling to tribal buyers?

[oasis]

17. Took long enough to catch his lousy ass.

I wonder if the authorities finally paid someone to snitch.

[Vegan4life]

18. 4 years for mass murder???

Should've been life. Vile monster. The lax penalties for animal cruelty are a black stain on our country. And neither party cares.