Paul Trahan, 19, Guy James Hardy, 21 and Greg Hardy, 24, all of Breaux Bridge, were tried and convicted June 20 of multiple violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. 

The three were cited December 19, 2002 by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents for hunting over a baited area and other federal violations.

The defendants were tried before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mildred Methvin.  After rendering a guilty verdict, Magistrate Methvin sentenced the men as
follows: 

For hunting ducks with the aid of bait, the three men were placed on three years supervised probation and ordered to serve 100 hours of community service. Their hunting privileges were revoked for three years, and they were ordered to each pay a fine of $750. For using lead shot while hunting waterfowl, they were each ordered to pay a fine of $250. All three were also fined $200 each for hunting ducks without a federal waterfowl stamp.

Paul Trahan and Greg Hardy were each fined an additional $300 for hunting with unplugged shotguns and Trahan paid another $200 fine for hunting ducks during illegal hours. 

Each defendant was also charged a special assessment fee of $10 on each count. Total fines were $1750 for Brandon Trahan, $1540 for Greg Hardy and $1230 for Guy Hardy. All three defendants were given two years to pay fines in full or serve up to six months in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorney, Luke Walker handled prosecution for the government. Participating in the case were Sgt. Dusty Rhodes, Sr. Agent Brian Theriot and Agent Dylan Bertrand.