NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Yellowstone NP
Felony Firearm Conviction
On December 12th, V.M.M. was sentenced in federal district court following his conviction for being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 30 months in federal custody, followed by 24 months of supervised release. On July 14, 2006 Yellowstone rangers arrested V.M.M. near Old Faithful for driving while his privileges were suspended and for possession of a controlled substance. A search incident to arrest revealed a .38 revolver and ammunition located next to the driver's seat. V.M.M. was found guilty in federal magistrate's court and sentenced to 120 days in jail. A subsequent investigation revealed that V.M.M. had been convicted of second degree murder in Washington State in 1985 and of criminal sale of dangerous drugs in Montana in 1998. This led to a grand jury indictment and issuance of an arrest warrant for V.M.M., who had already completed his 120 days of incarceration. In October, NPS special agents were contacted by the Montana Highway Patrol and advised that they'd discovered the arrest warrant while investigating a motorcycle accident caused by V.M.M.. V.M.M. was in the hospital in Kalispell Montana at the time recovering from head and facial injuries, but agents discovered that he'd been able to convince the hospital to release him during the early morning hours. Two agents left for Kalispell and found V.M.M. sitting on the front porch of a friend's house within ten minutes of arriving in town. V.M.M. was arrested without incident and transported to Missoula for an initial appearance. The case agent was Bruce Applin. [David Barland-Liles, Special Agent]
Jean Lafitte NHP&P
Rangers Investigate Two Vehicle Arson Fires
Rangers are investigating two vehicle arson fires that occurred in the Barataria Preserve during the past two months. The first arson was reported at 4 a.m. on November 2nd. Rangers found a 2005 Dodge pickup burned beyond recognition and determined that it was missing both its wheels and other key components. The fire also burned nearby trees. Investigation revealed that the vehicle was registered in Texas and that it had been reported stolen from a nearby community just before it had been burned. On December 12th, also at 4 a.m., rangers were notified of another arson, this one near the Kenta Canal. They found a newer model Isuzu SUV burned beyond recognition and learned that it had been reported stolen from New Orleans earlier that night. Rangers have conducted interviews and are following up on leads in both cases. [John Hughes, Chief Ranger]
Jean Lafitte NHP&P
Ranger Assaulted During Altercation With Drunk
On the afternoon of December 13th, ranger Mike Callais was working a special detail at the French Quarter Visitor Center, providing security for the annual DesCours contemporary architecture and visual arts event. He saw an intoxicated man enter the park courtyard, where visitors were present, and knock over one of the DesCours displays. When Callais approached him, he saw that the man was exposing himself by urinating in the open courtyard. Callais ordered him to place his hands behind his back, but he refused to comply and also refused to show his hands. An altercation ensued. The man then turned away from Callais and reached into his pants; Callais responded by drawing his weapon and ordering the man to desist. The man continued to shout profanity, though, and challenged the ranger to use force on him. Callais called for assistance and city officers responded and helped with the arrest. The case will be presented to the United State's Attorney's Office for follow-up. [John Hughes, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:
Northeast Region - On December 8th, 16 interpreters from Northeast Region gathered at the Schoodic Education and Research Center in Acadia National Park in Maine to take part in a groundbreaking endeavor - training registered interpretive coaches.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7220" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7220
National Capital Region - Wendy Lee O'Sullivan has been named the new associate regional director for partnerships for National Capital Region. O'Sullivan begins her new position during the first week of January, replacing Glenn Eugster, who has retired.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2185" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2185
Chiricahua NM - Jose W. Ramirez, facility manager at Chiricahua National Monument/Fort Bowie National Historic Site, will retire on January 2nd after a 31-year career with the National Park Service.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2186" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2186
Ninety Six NHS - Chief ranger/historian Eric Williams will retire on January 3rd. He has been at Ninety Six since the fall of 1981.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2187" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2187
Southeast Region - Southeast Regional Office is now accepting applications for a GS-0025-13 regional law enforcement specialist. The announcement closes on January 12th.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Jobs&id=3704" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Jobs&id=3704
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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
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