Sentence raises questions & eyebrows HALLWOOD, Virginia––Who is William Custis Smith, 74, of Hallwood, Virginia, population 206, and why did he get away with just one day in jail, two years on probation, 50 hours of community service, and a fine of $9,800 for allegedly killing at least 20 bald eagles and other birds of […]
Travis John Branson pleads guilty in biggest ever eagle poaching case
Co-defendant Simon Paul remains at large MISSOULA, Montana––Travis John Branson, 48, of Cusick, Washington, on March 21, 2024 pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court of Montana to charges of conspiracy, unlawful trafficking in bald and golden eagle feathers, and of the Lacey Act of 1900, which prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that […]
Eagle poaching indictments detail case allegedly dwarfing all others
Feds hint that defendants Simon Paul & Travis John Branson may have killed more birds of prey than anyone else charged with similar offenses in this century MISSOULA, Montana––Simon Paul, 38, of St. Ignatius, Montana, and Travis John Branson, 48, of Cusick, Washington, indicted by a federal grand jury on December 7, 2023 for unlawful […]