Rangers Arrest Guide For Operating In Park Without A Permit

Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Rangers Arrest Guide For Operating In Park Without A Permit

On Friday, August 31st, after approximately four weeks of investigation, rangers arrested 42-year old Brian Thompson of Cottonwood, Arizona, for conducting commercial operations in a national park without a permit. He was arrested after he received payment to guide a multi-day backpacking trip into the canyon. Thompson’s arrest came about due to the routine monitoring of backcountry use and permitting in the park. On September 12th, Thompson appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to violating Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 5.3, engaging in business without a permit. As a result, he was ordered to pay a $200 fine and was sentenced to a year’s probation, during which time he is banned from the park, cannot provide tours or guiding services (paid or unpaid) in any national park or national forest, and cannot advertise that he conducts tours or guiding services in national forests or national parks.

Reminds me of the guide in the movie The Canyon.

Quote
yosemitejim
Reminds me of the guide in the movie The Canyon.

Reminds me of the "guides" who offered their services when I visited Morocco. I especially liked the one who offered to prove he was licensed by showing me a "Carte de Sejour" (residency permit).