Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Murder Suspect Convicted, Sentenced To Life Without Parole
On November 26, E.J., 37, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was found
guilty of murder in the first degree (malice aforethought) and sentenced
to life without parole. The conviction stems from an arrest made in the
park on October 4, 2001. Late that afternoon, a Xanterra Parks and
Resorts employee reported a suspicious person - subsequently identified
as E.J. - in the concession housing area in Mammoth Hot Springs. The
license plate on E.J.'s vehicle was reported to dispatch; it came
back to a vehicle that had been stolen from a woman named R.S.,
who had been strangled and stabbed to death in Cherokee County,
Oklahoma. The license check also revealed that E.J. was wanted by
the FBI for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and by the county for
murder in the first degree. E.J. was reported to be suicidal, armed
and dangerous. Rangers and special agents set up roadblocks and
surveillance on the vehicle and other areas in Mammoth Hot Springs.
Ranger Joe Bueter arrested E.J. when he returned to his vehicle
around 7 p.m. Bueter testified at the trial in Oklahoma. As part of his
defense, E.J. claimed that he was not guilty because of mental
illness, including suicidal tendencies. This argument was countered by
prosecutors employing reports from park investigators on E.J.'s
activities while in Yellowstone. Investigation showed that he'd been in
the area for a week and that he'd been trying to establish himself in
the local community by applying for jobs and trying to make friends with
locals - behaviors inconsistent with his claim that he came to the park
to commit suicide and was arrested before he had a chance to kill
himself. The FBI's Denver-based evidence response team assisted the park
by processing R.S.'s vehicle for physical evidence. Park special agents
also assisted R.S.'s family by donating her vehicle to a women's
shelter in Bozeman.
[Submitted by Dan Kirschner, Special Agent,
Branch of Law Enforcement]
Independence National Historical Park (PA)
Retail Theft Arrest
The panic alarm at the park's gift shop was activated on February 24
after a customer informed the store clerk that she'd just witnessed a
theft. The manager followed the suspect out of the store while
simultaneously calling rangers on her cell phone. The suspect was found
hiding in a jewelry store two blocks from the visitor center complex,
with the stolen merchandise and drug paraphernalia in his possession. He
was arrested and charged under state code with retail theft due to his
extensive criminal history, which ran to about 13 pages. He's believed
to be the same person responsible for several previous thefts from the
same shop, as he matches descriptions given in those incidents. The
investigation continues
[Submitted by Katherine Korte, Law
Enforcement Specialist]
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (TX)
Attempted Robbery
On Sunday, February 23, ranger Eduardo Echeverria was on patrol when
he was stopped by a man who was using the city's hike and bike trail
near the park's historic aqueduct. The man said that he'd been
approached by a juvenile who had pulled a knife and demanded his wallet.
The juvenile was accompanied by several others. The man said he pulled
his own knife on the juvenile, who then fled towards the aqueduct with
his compatriots. Echeverria called for backup from San Antonio PD. Six
juveniles were detained and questioned; one of them, a 16-year-old boy,
was identified by the victim as his assailant. He was placed under
arrest. A total of three knives were taken from the juveniles.
[Submitted by Dan Steed, Chief Ranger]
Natchez Trace Parkway (AL,MS,TN)
Fatal Auto Accident
Park dispatch received a report of a single vehicle accident near
mile marker 56 in the Natchez District around noon on February 25.
Rangers Tim Lacy and Patrick Shell and Claiborne County officers
responded and found that the driver, J.A., 47, of
Kosciusko, Mississippi, had died in the accident. Investigation
indicates that J.A. drifted off onto the southbound road shoulder,
overcorrected, crossed the opposing traffic lane, and hit a tree.
[Submitted by Jackie Henman, Assistant Chief Ranger]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Servicewide News
Security Threat Level Drops to Code Yellow
Joint Statement of Attorney General John Ashcroft and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Office of the Press Secretary
February 27, 2003
For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Based on a review of intelligence and an assessment of threats by the intelligence community, the Attorney General in consultation with the Homeland Security Council has made the decision to return the threat level to an elevated risk of terrorist attack, or "yellow" level.
The decision to raise the threat level on February 7 was based on specific intelligence, corroborated by multiple intelligence sources, received and analyzed by the full intelligence community at the time. Today's decision to lower the threat level was based on a careful review of how this specific intelligence has evolved and progressed over the past three weeks, as well as counter-terrorism actions we have taken to address specific aspects of the threat situation. Among the factors we considered was the passing of the time period in or around the end of the Hajj, a Muslim religious period ending mid-February 2003.
The lowering of the threat level is not a signal to government, law enforcement or citizens that the danger of a terrorist attack is passed. Returning to the elevated level of risk is only an indication that some of the extra protective measures enacted by government and the private sector may be reduced at this time.
We emphasize that the United States and its interests are still at a significant risk of terrorist attack. Detained al Qaeda operatives have informed U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials that al Qaeda will wait until it believes Americans are less vigilant and less prepared before it will strike again. For this reason, and for the safety and security of our nation, Americans must continue to be defiant and alert. We must always be prepared to respond to a significant risk of terrorist attacks.
The American people serve as our strongest defense against terrorism. We ask all citizens to be aware of any suspicious activity and to report it to local authorities or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The nation's Homeland Security Advisory System provides a national framework to inform and facilitate the decisions of federal, state and local government as well as private individuals at home and at work. The system indicates protective measures commensurate with the current threat level to be taken to reduce the nation's vulnerability to terrorist attack.
At the elevated risk level, significant security measures will remain in place at all federal agencies. Examples of these include:
- A focus on critical facilities and vulnerabilities, with security and surveillance tailored to meet specific intelligence reports and security needs.
- Continued increased surveillance.
- Random inspections of passenger vehicles entering parking lots and restricted parking as necessary.
- Continued coordination of emergency plans with state and federal jurisdictions and private sector partners.
- One hundred percent identification check of personnel entering facilities.
- Screening procedures remain in place for incoming office mail and other deliverables.
We thank all federal, state and local government and law enforcement officials, representatives of the private sector, and individual citizens for your patience and resolve. Know that your efforts are making a difference. And know, as well, that through our collective efforts, we send a signal to those who would do us harm that America stands alert, united, and prepared.
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.