Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis announced that on Tuesday, February 03, 2004, Adam Ray Elford, 22 years old, of Vancouver, Washington, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen E. Cole at Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, for sentencing on charges stemming from an incident that happened at Lone Star Geyser in the fall of 2003.

On October 10, 2003, Elford drove his 2000 2WD Toyota Tacoma around a locked barricade at the Lone Star Geyser parking area and proceeded down a 2.5 mile trail leading to the geyser. At the end of the asphalt, he and a companion, Austin B. Olsen, moved a log barrier and drove completely around the cone of the geyser and surrounding meadows until the vehicle became stuck in the soft soil. An investigation into the incident indicates the two men caused considerable resource damage to Lone Star Geyser and the surrounding area. Already, park staff and the Montana Conservation Corp have spent more than 80 hours mitigating resource damage cause by the two individuals. A reassessment of the damaged areas will be completed this spring, with revegetation and restoration efforts to continue as necessary.

Elford made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cole on October 13, 2003, and was charged with operating a vehicle off road; injuring mineral resources; possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle; improper food storage; and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver's license. At the February 03 proceeding, Elford was found guilty on all five charges and was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with 70 days suspended. He was placed on three years probation and banned from entering Yellowstone National Park for five years; he must pay a tow bill of $ 386.69; and was fined $ 1,550.00 (plus a $ 10.00 Victim's Fund Assessment). Elford will also be required to pay full restitution for all restoration costs on behalf of the National Park Service and to reimburse the U.S. District Court for the cost of his court-appointed defense attorney.

The case against the second individual involved in this incident (Austin B. Olsen, 19 years old, of Battle Ground, Washington) is still being adjudicated and will be heard at a later date.

Information provided by the NPS