02-595
Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
Remains Found of Visitor Missing for Four Years
On October 28, a group of Boy Scouts discovered human remains in the
49 Palms Trail area of the park. Ranger Jeff Ohlfs and San Bernadino
County homicide detectives investigated the next day. They determined
that they were the remains of 60-year-old J.D. of Seal Beach,
California, missing since 1998. J.D. and his wife had camped in the
park that June. They then returned home to Seal Beach, which is about
150 miles from the park. J.D.'s wife unpacked, then took a shower;
when she came out, he was gone. It's not clear why or how J.D.
returned to the park, since he didn't take the family car and no vehicle
was found abandoned in the park. Investigators have determined that he
withdrew about $200 from his bank account via an ATM machine on the same
day he disappeared. His wife offered a reward for information on her
husband's disappearance, but no credible reports have come to light so
far.
[Submitted by Joe Zarki, PIO]
02-596
Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO)
Employee Theft Investigation, Conviction and Sentencing
In March, 2001, a park employee implicated park maintenance worker
K.O.T. in acts of theft involving government property. An
investigation revealed that several thefts had occurred at several
locations within the park where K.O.T. worked as both a seasonal and
permanent employee over the past decade. NPS investigators conducted a
consent search of K.O.T.' residence and discovered over $3,000 in
government supplies and equipment that had been stolen over the ten year
period. On August 22, K.O.T. pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of
receiving stolen government property (18 USC 641) under a plea
agreement. On November 7, he was sentenced to three years supervised
federal probation and four months of home confinement with electronic
monitoring. K.O.T. was also ordered to pay $259.46 in restitution to the
park, a $500 fine, and $25 in court assessments. He was terminated from
his employment with the National Park Service on August 25, 2001 as a
result of the findings of the investigation. [Larry Johnson, Chief
Ranger, OZAR]
[Submitted by Larry Johnson, Chief Ranger]
02-597
Amistad National Recreation Area (TX)
Drug Interdiction
A joint interagency drug interdiction operation conducted on November
15 resulted in the seizure of 170 pounds of processed marijuana and two
vehicles and the arrest of one man. The drugs were brought into the
United States from Mexico by boat across Lake Amistad, then backpacked
out to Highway 90. The marijuana was transferred to a "load vehicle" at
the highway, and the load vehicle and a scout vehicle both headed west.
Border Patrol agents in a marked unit attempted to stop the former; a
30-mile high-speed chase ensued, ending when the load vehicle rolled
down a steep embankment. The driver of that vehicle eluded capture, but
the driver of the scout vehicle was taken into custody at the accident
site. Rangers Scott Suchocki and Dennis Anderson participated in the
operation.
[Submitted by Greg Garetz, Supervisory Park
Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park (CO)
GS-11 District Ranger
The park is currently recruiting for a GS-11district ranger. The position is covered by 6(c). The individual selected will be responsible for a wide range of traditional ranger duties, including front and backcountry operations, visitor use and recreation management planning, law enforcement, emergency medical services, search and rescue, wilderness use and management, wildland fire, and aviation operations. He/she will be stationed at the South Rim of the Black Canyon, approximately 15 miles from Montrose, Colorado. No government housing is available. For further information, contact chief ranger Linda Alick at 970-641-2337 ext. 221.
[Submitted by Ned Kellher, Curecanti NRA]
Curecanti National Recreation Area (CO)
One or Two Temporay Commissioned Rangers
Curecanti NRA and Black Canyon NP are currently seeking one or two commissioned rangers to bring on as emergency hires. These positions are expected to last a minimum of 30 days and may be extended a second 30 days. These positions will be dedicated to providing 24 hour security for the three BOR dams in the area. Candidates must have a current background and physical and have held a commission in the last three months. Government housing is available.
[Submitted by Ned Kelleher, Curecanti NRA]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.