JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Yellowstone authorities again showed they will have little tolerance to scofflaws who knowingly break the rules in the nation’s oldest national park. A Maine man who trespassed on Old Faithful was the latest to come to justice last week.
Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray announced today that Aaron Merritt, 37, of Madison, Maine pleaded guilty to trespassing on the Old Faithful thermal area in Yellowstone National Park. Merritt appeared in front of Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming on July 1 for the arraignment and sentencing.
On July 7, 2020, while wearing a raccoon skin hat and waving an American flag, Merritt ran out on the thermal area and up to the geyser of Old Faithful more than once. He then failed to appear for his court hearing on July 23, 2020, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
He was arrested in Maine on June 5, 2021, and made his appearance at the Yellowstone Justice Center in Yellowstone. Merritt was sentenced to 15 days imprisonment with credit for four days served. He was fined $200 plus $30 in court costs and a $10 special assessment fee. He was also banned from the park.
The case was handled by park law enforcement rangers and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Hambrick.
