MISSOULA — A Texas man who was accused of trafficking eagles from the Flathead Indian Reservation admitted to charges on Wednesday, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme announced.

John Patrick Butler, 71, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy, two counts of unlawful trafficking of bald and golden eagles, and one count of purchasing eagles and eagle parts that had been killed illegally, in violation of the Lacey Act. Butler faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.

Prosecutors alleged in court documents that law enforcement uncovered messages from co-defendant Travis John Branson and others describing the illegal taking of eagles by stating, “[O]ut [here] committing felonies,” and telling buyers he was “on a killing spree” to obtain eagle tail feathe

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