YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — A man was arraigned in federal court on Aug. 23 for off-trail travel in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), where he sustained thermal burns, according to the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Wyoming.
Jason D. Wicks, 49, of Hillman, Michigan, pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges of off-trail travel in the thermal area and being under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the degree he was a danger to himself or others.
Wicks is banned from YNP and Grand Teton National Park until the case is closed. The incident remains under investigation. A trial date has not yet been set.
Per the Attorney’s Office, “the violation notice merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.”
In a statement from YNP, officials said that the ground in hydrothermal areas is fragile and thin, and there is scalding water just below the surface. Therefore, everyone must remain on boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution around Yellowstone’s thermal features.
