RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Friday, September 3, 1993

Broadcast: By 0900 EDT

INCIDENTS

93-277 - Great Smokies (North Carolina/Tennessee) - Follow-up on Fatal MVA

On May 22nd, J.S., 45, of Sevierville, Tennessee, was driving on
Little River Road when he crossed the center line and struck an on-coming
vehicle with three people in it.  W.S., 78, who was sitting
in the back seat of the second vehicle, died at the scene; his wife, Mamie,
89, and daughter, Faye Money, 49, received severe injuries.  J.S. was
subsequently determined to have been driving under the influence of alcohol
and drugs.  On August 24th, J.S. was found guilty of one count of second
degree murder (18 USC 111) and two counts of assault (18 USC 113) in a jury
trial in federal district court in Knoxville.  J.S. was willing to plea
to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, but the U.S. attorney felt
that the damage incurred by the victims was overwhelming and warranted a
stronger penalty.  Key elements that were important to the case were the
language of 18 USC 111, which requires that "malice and aforethought" be
proven to show reckless endangerment, and 18 USC 113, which stipulates that
"willful intent" must be demonstrated to prove assault.  Witness testimony
and physical evidence obtained at the scene made it possible to show that
these elements applied.  The conviction has been deemed important to the
area because of the minimal penalties that exist locally for DWI convictions
which contribute to deaths.  [Jerry Grubb, GRSM, 8/26]

93-321 - Assateague (Maryland/Virginia) - Follow-up on Sexual Assault

M.P. was arrested in the park by rangers and Maryland state police
officers on August 6th for an alleged sexual offense committed on a 12-year-
old female in the park's ORV zone last May.  M.P. is a friend of the victim
and her family.  During a search incident to arrest, a ranger located a
small amount of marijuana in M.P.'s pocket.  Due to the park's
jurisdictional status, M.P. will be tried in state court on second, third
and fourth degree sexual offenses and possession of a controlled substance. 
[Scot McElveen, ASIS, 8/24]

93-431 - Colonial (Virginia) - Follow-up on ARPA Indictments

On the morning of November 20, 1992, three North Carolina men were
apprehended who were using metal detectors in a remote section of the
Yorktown battlefield.  Subsequent investigation revealed that the men had
dug over 250 holes and removed over 200 metal artifacts.  On August 5th,
S.T. and M.R. entered guilty pleas to misdemeanor
ARPA violations in exchange for an agreement to testify against the third
party, R.G.  On August 26th, R.G. pleaded guilty to a felony
ARPA violation.  Each defendant agreed to pay $5,000 in restitution, forfeit
all artifacts and metal detecting equipment, and participate in the filming
of a video on relic hunting.  Rogers will also forfeit his 1986 Isuzu
Trooper, which was used in the incident.  All three will be sentenced in
October and still face potential fines and/or imprisonment in addition to
the forfeitures.  Colonial ranger Bob Whiteman and detective Clyde Yee,
Fredericksburg/Spottsylvania ranger Mike Greenfield, and MARO archeologist
Brooke Blades had primary roles in the apprehension and investigation.  [Jim
Burnett, CR, COLO, 8/26]

93-560 - Prince William (Virginia) - Follow-up on Assault

On August 3rd, rangers served a state felony warrant for aggravated assault
on a suspect in the assault which took place on August 1st in one of the
park's cabin camps.  The second suspect could not be located by Park Police
officers; he apparently fled the area when he heard of the other arrest, but
later turned himself in to Prince William County police.  The first man was
placed on $10,000 bond, the second on $1,500 bond.  Both men have prior
arrest records for assaults.  A tentative September court date has been set. 
[Ken Kelley, RAD/NCRO, 8/26]

93-632 - East Coast Areas - Follow-up on Hurricane Emily

Updates on the impacts of Hurricane Emily have been received from the two
parks most affected by the storm:

* Cape Hatteras - The park is focusing its efforts on completing damage
assessments, helping communities regain basic utilities, and assisting park
employees - five of whom lost their homes in the village of Avon.  A
critical incident stress debriefing team will arrive today to work with the
employees who lost their homes.  Oregon Inlet campground was scheduled to
reopen yesterday afternoon.  Electrical power has been restored to the
villages of Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo; property owners and visitors are now
being allowed through these villages to the park's Salvo campground.  Only
residents and emergency personnel are allowed to proceed beyond the
campground.  The village of Ocracoke is still operating on generator power. 
The Coast Guard reports only minor damage to Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

* Cape Lookout - No apparent damage was inflicted on the historic buildings
at Portsmouth Village, but there was some minor damage to Haulover Dock at
that location.  No new channels were cut through the Core Banks.  Beach
erosion was limited.

[Steve Smith, RAD/SERO; Chuck Harris, CR, CALO; Mary Collier, Management
Assistant, CAHA; 9/2]

93-658 - Fredericksburg/Spottsylvania (Virginia) - Stolen Item Recovered

On the evening of August 27th, rangers at Kennesaw Mountain received a
report that a 24-pound bronze Coehorn mortar dating from 1855 was being
offered for sale at the National Civil War Show in Richmond, Virginia, and
that the mortar may have been stolen.  Fredericksburg rangers investigated
the following day and found that the mortar had been removed from the show. 
Further investigation led to the mortar being turned over to rangers pending
a determination of its status.  On August 30th, it was confirmed that the
mortar had been stolen from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  The
academy was very interested in its return, as the mortar was presented to
them as an instructional piece on July 28, 1856.  [Mike Johnson, CR, FRSP,
9/2]

93-659 - Blue Ridge (Virginia/North Carolina) - Assault on Rangers

D.D. of Ontario, Canada, was riding his motorcycle on the parkway
near Roanoke on August 29th when ranger Charles Johnson clocked him at a
speed in excess of 60 mph.  Johnson attempted to stop him, but D.D. sped
away through dense traffic at greatly increased speed.  Johnson called ahead
for assistance, and D.D. was eventually stopped by ranger Bob Milliron. 
Ranger John Boone soon arrived as backup.  D.D. proved extremely
uncooperative and combative.  He bit Boone on the finger and hand, causing a
deep wound, and also stomped Milliron's toes in an attempt to incapacitate
him.  D.D.'s combativeness ended abruptly when Johnson used his ASP baton
two times on D.D.'s exposed shin.  D.D. them became compliant and was taken
into custody.  The magistrate set a $25,000 secured bond for D.D., who
remains in jail awaiting trial at this time. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 9/2]

93-660 - New River Gorge (West Virginia) - Poaching Arrests

On August 16th, rangers and state conservation officers arrested six Asian
and three Hispanic subjects and seized more than 150 pounds of fresh water
mussels being taken from the New River near Hinton.  All nine pleaded guilty
to illegal possession of fresh water mussels and were ordered to pay more
than $4,800 in fines and court costs.  The fines were paid in cash the same
day.  It was subsequently determined that the three Hispanic subjects were
in the country illegally.  Information and evidence found at the scene
indicate possible connections with interstate or international trade in
other types of wildlife or wildlife parts.  Trade in illegally-taken mussels
in the Tennessee and Ohio River drainages has become big business in recent
years.  The collectors, motivated by high profits, recently moved into the
New River area.  The investigation is continuing.  [Dave Bartlett, SDR,
NERI, 8/31]

93-661 - Gateway (New York/New Jersey) - Drowning

Just after noon on August 24th, Park Police officers were advised that an
individual had disappeared while swimming in a prohibited area off Canarsie
Pier.  The report was not received until 45 minutes after the swimmer had
gone under.  Rescue efforts commenced shortly thereafter, and the victim's
body was found by divers at 1:45 p.m.  Alcohol may have been a contributing
factor in the drowning.  [Lt. Martin Zweig, NYFO/USPP, 8/25] 

93-662 - Gateway (New York/New Jersey) - Drowning

C.S., 34, and Lazaro Negron, 15, were clamming chest deep in water
about 200 feet from the shore of Jamaica Bay in an area closed to swimming
on the afternoon of August 29th when the water rose suddenly and they began
to call for help.  Occupants of a passing boat were able to rescue Negron,
but C.S. disappeared from view.  Divers were unable to locate his body that
afternoon, but further efforts were planned at the time of the report. 
Alcohol is believed to have been a factor in the incident.  [Lt. Michael
Fellner, NYFO/USPP, 8/29]

93-663 - Glen Canyon (Arizona) - Drowning

H.C., 39, of Kayenta, Arizona, drowned on the afternoon of August
28th when he attempted to swim to a rock about 25 yards from shore in an
area known as "The Chains".  He was there with three friends and had been
drinking.  Resuscitation was attempted by rangers and a county deputy. 
[Phil Hibbs, GLCA, 8/30]

93-664 - Gulf Islands (Mississippi/Florida) - Drug Seizure

On August 28th, two park visitors walking along the beach in the vicinity of
Fort Pickens found a package floating in the water.  Because of its unusual
wrappings, they brought it to the ranger station.  The outer wrapping of the
wet package, which weighed one kilo (2.2 pounds), was a clear tape which had
been opened by one of the visitors.  The next layer was a grey plastic/foil
pouch that was completely sealed; inside was yet another layer of clear
plastic wrap with the word "Cartier" on it.  The contents tested positive
for cocaine.  There's good reason to believe that this package may be of the
same origin as the one that turned up on Horn Island on June 21st.  The
beach was searched for other packages, but none were found.  [Skip Prange,
DR, GUIS, 8/30]

93-665 - Natchez Trace (Mississippi/Alabama/Tennessee) - MVA with Fatality

M.C., 17, was southbound on the parkway just after midnight on
August 31st when he struck a pickup being driven by 35-year-old Rick
Pearson.  Both were thrown from their vehicles, which were soon engulfed in
flames.  Rangers and other officers pulled the two men out of danger. 
Pearson died two hours after being admitted to a local hospital; M.C. is in
serious condition.  The accident is under investigation.  [Gordon Wissinger,
NATR, 9/1]

93-666 - Cape Cod (Massachusetts) - MVA with Fatality

A 13-year-old girl from Provincetown was struck by a van while crossing a
highway on the park's boundary on August 28th.  A ranger who was stopped in
traffic at a nearby intersection witnessed the incident.  Seven park
personnel from resource management, maintenance and protection assisted
Provincetown police and rescue personnel in scene management and life saving
efforts.  The victim, who was a friend or relative to a number of the
responding personnel, was airlifted to Boston with major head and internal
injuries and died two days later.  An interagency critical incident stress
debriefing was held for all participants.  [Rick Obernesser, CR, CACO, 8/31]

FIRE ACTIVITY

No report this morning.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: No leave or travel scheduled.

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Smith and Dickerhoof at VRAP
meeting (8/30-9/3); Marriott on AL (8/25-9/5); Halainen on AL (9/2-9/8). 

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Spruill on MWR/PNR aviation evaluations (8/24-
9/3); Gale at USFWS Region 4 emergency response planning meeting (8/30-9/3);
Farrel at International Association of Fire Chiefs annual meeting (8/28-
9/3); Hurd on AL (8/30-9/3).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: Branch of R&VP - 202-208-4874
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5572
Telefax:   Branch of R&VP - 202-208-6756
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5977
cc:Mail:   Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO Fire and Aviation
SkyPager:  Emergencies ONLY (numeric message) - 1-800-759-7243, PIN 2404843 
SkyTalk:   Emergencies ONLY (voice message) - 1-800-759-8255, PIN 2404843