MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. — Another person was sentenced for illegal conduct in Yellowstone National Park (YNP).
Aaron E. Merritt, 37, of Madison, Maine pleaded guilty to trespassing on the Old Faithful thermal area in YNP. Merritt appeared in front of Magistrate Judge Mark L. Carman in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming on July 1, 2021, for the arraignment and sentencing.
The incident occurred on July 7, 2020. Merritt ran out on the thermal area and up to the geyser of Old Faithful more than once, wearing a raccoon skin hat and waving an American flag. He then failed to appear for his court hearing on July 23, 2020, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested on June 5, 2021, in Maine and made his appearance at the Yellowstone Justice Center in YNP.
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 YNP.
The case was handled by YNP law enforcement rangers and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Hambrick.
