Travis John Branson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, wildlife trafficking and two counts of trafficking federally protected bald and golden eagles.Golden eagle feet law enforcement officers recovered from the vehicle of a Washington state man charged with federal wildlife trafficking violations.
Branson, of Cusick, Washington, sold an unidentified purchaser two sets of golden eagle tail feathers — highly prized among many Native American tribes — for $650 in March 2021, according to prosecutors. Branson acknowledged in response to questions from Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto that he “conspired to take and sell migratory birds,” which is illegal under federal law. He also said he he grew up with his co-defendant and was originally from the Polson area.Branson was not taken into custody pending his sentencing and he made no public comments after the hearing. His public defender, Andy Nelson, declined comment..
In a 2016 text message quoted by prosecutors, Branson appeared to acknowledge that shipping eagles internationally was illegal, adding, “I just get em for 99 cents...price of a bullet.”