Park County, Wyoming charges Jimenez and pilot for trespass and littering

April 17, 2004. My editorial addition April 26

The great wolf trespass case has now resulted in criminal trespassing charges and littering. I think this just harassment of hard working folks doing their job.

The next time anyone in Park County (Cody, Meeteetse) wants action on a "wolf problem," the wolf mangers should ask for written permission (in advance) from all landowners in the area where they might cross, fly over, or land.

Wolf biologist charged with trespassing. By The Associated Press Saturday, April 17, 2004

-Previous stories on this case-

2-25-04. (my story) USFWS wolf manager for Wyoming said to "trespass" on private property while radio-collaring wolves.

3-5-04. Park County, Wyoming commission's allegations against wolf manager Jimenez grow into  conspiracy theory. Cody Enterprise.

Here is a great story about the pilot, Wes Livingston, who has also been charged. "Greybull company among best in wildlife capture." Billings Gazette. Dec. 1, 2003.
 

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Link to Park County elected officials.

April 26, 2004. I think Park County, WY has a very weak case regarding criminal trespass against Jimenez and Livingston. Although the government will not release details about this legal mater, consider this, here is Wyoming's law on trespass:

6-3-303. Criminal trespass; penalties.

(a) A person is guilty of criminal trespass if he enters or remains on or in the land or premises of another person, knowing he is not authorized to do so, or after being notified to depart or to not trespass. For purposes of this section, notice is given by:

(i) Personal communication to the person by the owner or occupant, or his agent, or by a peace officer; or

(ii) Posting of signs reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.

(b) Criminal trespass is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), or both.

(c) This section does not supersede W.S. 1-21-1003.

In none of the newspaper accounts did it say Jimenez was asked to leave, nor was he even told was on private property by ranch hand Randy Kruger, according to all the news media accounts (see "a [i]" above).  It also appears the land was not posted in a way "reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders" (a [ii] above). They landed on the road and moved the wolves to the side of the road under shade.  Next to the road is where people usually post "no trespassing" markers.

I wonder how much this case will cost Park County residents, and whether it is part of someone's re-election campaign?