Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/
Joseph Aita, a 62-year-old resident of Colorado Springs, has been sentenced to seven days in jail for deviating from a designated trail within Yellowstone National Park. The incident occurred in the Canary Spring area of Mammoth Hot Springs, where he was accompanied by co-defendant Celia Aita and two minor children. According to court documents, Joseph Aita also pleaded guilty to destroying a mineral resource.
As part of his sentence for the destruction charge, Aita received five years of probation and is banned from Yellowstone National Park during this period. Additionally, he must pay a $3,000 fine and $60 in mandatory court costs and fees. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ariel Calmes and the sentence was handed down by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick on October 31 in Mammoth, Wyoming.
The United States Attorney’s Office represents the federal government in various legal matters within the District of Wyoming, including criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits involving federal law violations. The office also participates in several initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety.
These initiatives include Environmental Justice, which focuses on fair treatment concerning environmental laws; Project Safe Childhood, which combats technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children; Project Safe Neighborhoods, dedicated to reducing gun and gang crime; and Victim Witness Assistance ensuring that victims of federal crimes are treated with compassion.
To report a federal crime, individuals can visit https://www.justice.gov/actioncenter/report-crime#trafficking.
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