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garyhaupt's avatar
garyhaupt
Explorer
Apr 21, 2020

Long arm of the law..update

The guy that had defaced property at death Valley and the NPS knew he lived in Grand Forks BC? Has contacted the NPS and has apologized. Charges 'might still be laid' but his apology and attitude has gone a long way.

Some his friends in Grand Forks had spoken to him and one of them had called the NPS tip line.

From the NPS...DEATH VALLEY, CA – A man has confessed to marking multiple sites in Death Valley National Park with graffiti. Charges are pending.

Graffiti that included “Steve & Lacy” was found on rocks, a well, and historic structures in Echo Canyon, Butte Valley, Homestake Dry Camp, and Crankshaft Junction. Defacing any part of the national park degrades the experience of other visitors.

Park rangers had some leads pointing to the man’s identity, and appealed to the public for more information on April 14. The National Park Service (NPS) appreciates that many people shared the story on social media and contacted the NPS with tips. The NPS Investigative Services Branch (ISB) handles tips on cases in all national parks and other NPS sites. The tip line can be reached at: 888-653-0009, online at www.nps.gov/ISB, or by email at nps_isb@nps.gov.

The man who confessed said that his acquaintance saw the story on social media and brought his attention to it. “Steve,” a resident of British Columbia, called the tip line himself on April 17. The following day he spoke with the investigating park ranger, confessed, and apologized.

Lacy is blameless – she is a dog.

Charges have not been filed again the man yet. Penalties could include a fine and/or restitution charges. The man’s cooperative attitude will likely be a mitigating factor.

This graffiti happened in January 2019 and January 2020. Park rangers are still patrolling Death Valley National Park during the current temporary closure due to coronavirus. Through traffic is allowed on CA-190 and Daylight Pass Road from Beatty.


Gary Haupt
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    azdryheat wrote:
    wnjj wrote:
    Lwiddis wrote:
    I hope he is charged, convicted and imprisoned.

    I don't. That would guarantee nobody would ever turn them self in again. He should be made to pay for the cleanup and then some.
    So, in your world, people who murder, for example, just need to turn themselves in and they won't suffer being charged? Ridiculous.

    Yeah, because writing on rocks is the same as murder and him made to pay is the same as "not charged". You must have no clue how the justice system works. Deals are cut all of the time if the net result is a positive for society. I also never said he shouldn't be charged. I disagreed with "charged, convicted and imprisoned" which for graffiti would be ridiculous indeed.
  • wnjj wrote:
    Lwiddis wrote:
    I hope he is charged, convicted and imprisoned.

    I don't. That would guarantee nobody would ever turn them self in again. He should be made to pay for the cleanup and then some.
    So, in your world, people who murder, for example, just need to turn themselves in and they won't suffer being charged? Ridiculous.
  • Banned 50 years to stay out of the US would be my preference.
    Otherwise he can clean the interstate shoulders along with others doing community service with no return to our National parks. Just being in the park to clean is too good.
  • wnjj's avatar
    wnjj
    Explorer II
    Lwiddis wrote:
    I hope he is charged, convicted and imprisoned.

    I don't. That would guarantee nobody would ever turn them self in again. He should be made to pay for the cleanup and then some.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Personally I think a plea deal of fines, restitution or public service. Have him return to the park and assist in cleaning / removing his vandalism.
  • Lwiddis wrote:
    I hope he is charged, convicted and imprisoned.


    I doubt the government will call for extradition but I wouldn't expect him to make it through customs.

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