62-year-old Joseph Aita from Colorado Springs, Colorado was sentenced to seven days in jail and a five year ban from entering Yellowstone National Park after being found guilty of entering a protected thermal area of the park.
Aita and his co-defendant Celia Aita and two children, entered the protected zone of Canary Spring in Mammoth Hot Springs. At his October 31st sentencing Aita pleaded guilty to destroying a mineral resource and was sentenced to a week in jail, $3,000 fine, five years of probation, and a five year ban from Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone’s boardwalks are designed to keep visitors safe while viewing hydrothermal features. Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature and there is ample signage warning visitors not to leave boardwalks due to the dangers. Mr. Aita decided to disregard the warnings and is now suffering the consequences.
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Wyoming Press Release:
Joseph Aita, 62, of Colorado Springs, CO, was sentenced to 7 days in jail for walking off a designated trail or boardwalk in a thermal area within Yellowstone National Park. According to court documents, he entered the protected area of Canary Spring in Mammoth Hot Springs in the north area of the park with co-defendant Celia Aita and 2 minor children. He also pleaded guilty to destroying a mineral resource and for that violation, he was sentenced to five years of probation, with a ban from Yellowstone National Park during that time and a fine of $3,000. He will also pay $60 in mandatory court costs and fees in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes prosecuted this case. U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick imposed the sentence on Oct. 31, in Mammoth, Wyoming.
Yellowstone Thermal Area Safety Guidelines:
Boardwalks and trails protect you and delicate thermal formations. Water in hot springs can cause severe or fatal burns, and scalding water underlies most of the thin, breakable crust around hot springs.
-Toxic gases may accumulate to dangerous levels in some hydrothermal areas. If you begin to feel sick while exploring one of our geyser basins, leave the area immediately.
-Always walk on boardwalks and designated trails. Keep children close and do not let them run on boardwalks.
-Do not touch thermal features or runoff.
-Swimming or soaking in hot springs is prohibited. More than 20 people have died from burns suffered after they entered or fell into Yellowstone’s hot springs.
–Pets are prohibited in thermal areas.
-Do not throw objects into hot springs or other hydrothermal features.