Montana Case Uncovers Illegal Eagle Trafficking Network

A Texas man has now admitted his role in an illegal eagle trafficking operation that centered in Montana and stretched across the country. Federal prosecutors say the case reveals just how far some people will go and how much damage can happen when greed meets wildlife crime.

Texas Man Pleads Guilty in Eagle Trafficking Case

John Patrick Butler, a 71-year-old man from Humble, Texas, pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges tied to the illegal trafficking of bald and golden eagles. Those charges include conspiracy, unlawful trafficking, and purchasing eagles and eagle parts that were killed illegally, all in violation of the Lacey Act.

If sentenced to the maximum, Butler could face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release. A federal judge will decide his sentence, with sentencing scheduled for April 7, 2026. For now, Butler has been released under conditions while the case continues.

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Disturbing Messages That Caught Investigators’ Attention

Court documents paint a disturbing picture of how casually some of this activity was discussed. Investigators uncovered messages from co-defendant Travis John Branson and others that openly referenced committing crimes, including statements about being “on a killing spree” to obtain eagle tail feathers for sale.

Butler wasn’t a passive buyer. Prosecutors say he requested specific types of eagles and even asked questions about their appearance before purchasing them.

Eagles Killed in Montana and Sold Nationwide

According to federal authorities, Branson, co-defendant Simon Paul, and others hunted and killed eagles on the Flathead Indian Reservation and in other locations. In total, an estimated 3,600 birds were killed, including bald and golden eagles. The birds were then sold on the black market for large amounts of cash. Those sales didn’t just stay local; the parts were shipped across the country and even beyond U.S. borders.

Paying Online and Mailing Eagle Parts Out of Montana

Prosecutors say Butler paid for eagle parts using PayPal and other online payment services. Once money changed hands, eagle parts, including tail feather sets, were mailed directly from Montana to Butler’s home in Texas.

Postal records and text messages confirmed that Butler received the shipments. The transactions allegedly continued between November 2020 and March 2021, with payments ranging from a few hundred dollars to nearly a thousand dollars at a time.

A Paper Trail of Payments Tied to Montana

Court records detail several specific transactions. Butler paid hundreds of dollars for golden and bald eagle tail sets in December 2020 and continued making purchases into early 2021. In multiple cases, co-defendants sent photos of the eagle parts before Butler completed payment, and Butler later confirmed delivery. Each of those purchases tied the illegal activity directly back to Montana.

Why Eagle Protection Laws Exist

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act was passed in 1940 specifically to protect the bald eagle, not just as a species, but as a national symbol representing freedom and American ideals. In 1962, those protections were extended to golden eagles. For many Montanans, eagles aren’t just wildlife. They’re symbols of this place, soaring over rivers, mountains, and open land we’re proud of.

A Strong Message From Federal Investigators

Federal prosecutors say the killing of eagles continues because people are willing to buy them. This case sends a clear message that purchasing wildlife on the black market carries serious consequences, even if the buyer lives hundreds of miles away.

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The investigation was led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with federal prosecutors handling the case in court. For Montana, it’s a sobering reminder that protecting wildlife doesn’t stop at state lines and that the impact of these crimes hits close to home.