America's national forests are a treasure for all to explore and enjoy. They provide welcome respite from the noise and hubbub of city life. Their beauty and serenity are a marvel that is second to none. However, they have to be partaken of responsibly and in accordance with the law. That is allegedly where Mark Aaron Gatz went wrong. Per People, citing court documents, Gatz, 65, "was arrested on June 25 after he was found at his illegal campsite in the Tonto National Forest" in Arizona. He reportedly said that he had been staying in the forest for eight years.
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Gatz Allegedly Accumulated a Half-Ton of Trash
That is not the most shocking aspect of Gatz's story, though. A United States Forest Service officer, Michael Norton, claimed that he found about "1,000 pounds of trash" at Gatz's campsite in May. That amount equals half a ton of refuse. According to SFGATE, a Forest Service officer called this situation "'one of the worst residential cases' he had ever seen." Among the objects Gatz apparently had on hand were cans, tires, and trash bags.
According to People, Gregory Harper, also evidently dealt with Gatz in May. In addition to all the trash, Harper said he noticed a wooden structure at Gatz's campsite. "The officer said he gave Gatz two weeks to clean up the trash, take down the structure and leave the premises, per the court documents."
In a citation, according to SFGATE, an officer described the squalid conditions. "There was roughly half an acre of resources ruined due to so much trash and goods on the ground for an extended period of time."
Per SFGATE, Gatz "pleaded guilty to a violation of fire restrictions and residential use of the forest without a permit, according to District of Arizona U.S. Attorney's Office executive assistant Esther Winne." His penalty was time served, plus probation for three years.
He Had Several Previous Run-Ins With Officers
A citation reportedly said that Mark Aaron Gatz "had encounters," in the words of the outlet, during the previous year with officers. He also had racked up "at least six outstanding federal arrest warrants." Gatz was cited for numerous violations. They included digging holes in the ground, creating an unsanitary situation, and having a campfire while fire season was ongoing.
