Two Americans from Washington and Montana who boasted in text messages about their poaching exploits and “killing spree” have been accused of illegally killing about 3,600 birds, some of which are protected by federal law.
Simon Paul, 42, and Travis John Branson, 48, were both charged Wednesday with trafficking, conspiracy and 13 counts of violating the Bald Eagle Protection Act. This emerges from an indictment published on Wednesday and published by the BBC.
In total, the two men shot around 3,600 birds over several years in order to resell parts and feathers on the black market. However, prosecutors did not say whether other rare or endangered species fell victim to the shots from their rifle, according to British media.
They once reportedly even laid down a deer carcass to attract their prey.
They are said to have committed their crime on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana, but also elsewhere.
According to the BBC, Travis John Branson even bragged about “committing crimes” and “going on a killing spree” and making “significant sums of money” in the process.
The bald eagle was long considered an endangered species, but thanks to conservation efforts, the national bird of the United States is no longer considered such, although it is still protected by federal law and is punishable by a year in prison and a fine to the media.
They would also risk a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a hefty $250,000 fine just on the conspiracy charge if found guilty, The Independent said.