Texas Man Pleads Guilty in Eagle Trafficking Ring That Killed 3,600 Birds on Flathead Reservation

MISSOULA — A Texas man pleaded guilty Tuesday to buying eagles killed as part of a massive poaching operation on the Flathead Indian Reservation that left approximately 3,600 birds dead.

John Patrick Butler, 71, of Humble, Texas, admitted to one count of conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and one count of purchasing eagles and eagle parts in violation of the Lacey Act. He faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release.

Co-defendants Travis John Branson and Simon Paul hunted and killed eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and elsewhere, according to court documents^1. The birds were then sold on the black market for significant sums across the United States.

Law enforcement uncovered messages from Branson describing his illegal activities, stating he was “out [here] committing felonies” and telling buyers he was “on a killing spree” to obtain eagle tail feathers for future sales, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Butler was among the buyers fueling the illegal trade, requesting specific types of eagles from the Montana-based poachers. In one message, Butler asked Branson, “Did u ever see any crispy ones yet?”

PayPal Payments Traced to Texas

From November 2020 to March 2021, Butler purchased eagles shot in Montana through PayPal and other online payment systems. The co-defendants then shipped the birds and parts through the U.S. Postal Service to Butler’s home in Humble, Texas.

Court records detail five transactions during that period:

• December 14, 2020: Butler paid $450 for two tail feather sets, one golden eagle and one bald eagle
• December 17, 2020: Butler paid $300 for a golden eagle tail set
• December 28, 2020: Butler paid $750 for two golden eagle tails, which he confirmed receiving on January 4, 2021
• January 7, 2021: Butler paid $900 for two golden eagle tail sets
• March 1, 2021: Butler purchased two golden eagle sets after receiving photos

Postal records and text messages confirmed Butler received eagles, hawks and their parts from Montana, according to prosecutors.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto presided over the guilty plea in Missoula Federal District Court. U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen will determine Butler’s sentence on April 7, 2026. Butler was released with conditions pending further proceedings.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy Tanner and Ryan Weldon prosecuted the case. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted the investigation.

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was enacted in 1940 to protect the bald eagle as the nation’s symbol. Congress extended the law in 1962 to also protect golden eagles.