"Montana Man Wanted for Bald Eagle Killings"

A federal judge issued an arrest warrant for Simon Paul, who failed to appear in court on charges of slaughtering over 3,600 protected birds, including bald eagles, and selling them on the black market. Paul and co-defendant Travis John Branson are accused of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act by illegally shooting and trafficking the birds. Branson pleaded not guilty and was released on conditions, while court documents revealed their alleged use of a dead deer to bait eagles for shooting. The bald eagle, America's national emblem, has been protected under the law since 1940, and the population began to recover after being an endangered species until 2007.