Three members of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Michigan were found guilty of violating fishing violations after a trial in tribal court.

Brothers Andrew, Kevin and John Schwartz were ticketed on a total of 105 violations. Judge Jocelyn K. Fabry found them guilty on 79 charges and called the incident a "sad day for the tribe."

. "It gives tribal members a black eye in the community." Fabry said at a court hearing on Friday, The Escanaba Daily Press reported.

The men lost their fishing rights and were ordered to pay more than $13,000 in fines and other costs. "We respect the court's decision and hope this will deter others from abusing the law and the environment," Chairman Joe McCoy said in a statement.

The state and the federal government investigated the incident but turned it over to the tribe due to lack of jurisdiction. An agreement established pursuant to the Treaty of 1836 rests exclusive jurisdiction over fishing violations with five signatory tribes.

Get the Story:
Tribe members to pay (The Escanaba Daily Press 8/23)
Court issues guilty verdicts in fishing case (The Soo Evening News 8/22)
Judge calls hearing ‘sad day’ for tribe (The Escanaba Daily Press 8/21)
Brothers sentenced in fish case (The Escanaba Daily Press 8/21)

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Sault Tribe begins court proceedings over fishing violations (5/11)
Soo Tribe charges three for violating fishing regulations (3/16)