NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

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INCIDENTS

Yellowstone NP

Conviction for Assault on Officer

The park's supervisory special agent was called out at 3 a.m. last July 1st to assist a ranger at Mammoth with an assault investigation. They found the alleged assailant at a concession dormitory; his car was parked nearby. Investigation revealed evidence that he'd been driving under the influence and had in his possession both illegal drugs and minerals taken from the park. During the contact, the man became increasingly agitated and uncooperative and suddenly lunged twice at the agent, knocking a flashlight and clipboard out of his hands. The man then retreated and a brief standoff ensued. When the ranger and agent displayed OC spray and a Taser, the man submitted to their commands and was taken into custody. After an initial appearance before a federal magistrate, he was released. About a week later, he was arrested by rangers and US marshals for violations of the terms of his release and suspicion that he was driving a misappropriated vehicle. He'd also had several law enforcement contacts during this period with Forest Service officers and Park County deputies. After about 45 days n custody, he was again released, this time on a cash bond and under the direct supervision of Pretrial Services. The man and his defense council later entered into a plea agreement with the AUSA. On November 2nd, he pled guilty to misdemeanor assault on an officer (18 USC 111), possession of marijuana (21 USC 844a), and possession of mineral features (36 CFR 2.1(a)). He was sentenced to 180 days' federal custody (but given credit for prior time served), fined $2,050, banned from Yellowstone for a year, and ordered to pay $500 in restitution. In late January, he surrendered to deputy US marshals in the Midwest and began to serve the balance of his jail sentence. [Brian Smith, Special Agent in Charge]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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