Four men sentenced for using helicopter on sheep hunting trip

According to an NBC 5 report, four men, including a rancher and a pilot, have received probation and fines for using a helicopter to kill exotic animals in South Texas.

The men involved were 36-year-old Cody Morganthaler, 33-year-old Edelmiro Martinez, 39-year-old Eduardo Lopez and 56-year-old Inocente Sanchez.

Prosecutors say Lopez, Martinez and Sanchez organized the $12,000 hunt for Morganthaler, who then shot four antelope and sheep from both the helicopter and on ground.

There is a federal law that bans using aircraft to shoot animals for sport or trophy hunting.

All pleaded guilty and face thousands of dollars in fines.