When Robert Dunn appeared before a judge in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, last month on the matter of an outstanding speeding ticket, he figured he’d fess up, pay up, and hit the road.

Instead, the driver for the truckload division of Aldersyde, Alta.-based Mullen Trucking found himself in shackles and an orange jumpsuit, sentenced to 30 days in jail and barred from driving in the U.S. for six months. Five other Canadian drivers received similarly harsh virdicts.

“I don’t know if this was some sort of backlash against Canada because of agricultural conflicts last month, or just some local judge trying to teach some guys a lesson,” says Alberta Trucking Association general manager Collin Heath. “Regardless, we’re telling our carriers to tell their drivers to be diligent about paying their fines.”

Dunn had his sentence reduced to two days, and was released early in the morning in Bonners Ferry without the ability to drive himself, or his truck, home.

David Mullen, vice-president of Mullen’s truckload division, says Dunn will work in Canada for the time being. “I think what happened to him was excessive, but really, the only thing we can do is try to appeal the six-month suspension,” he says. “The bottom line and the truth is you’ve gotta pay your fines as you get them. His lucky number was up.”