CNN
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Prosecutors have announced that a visitor who was allegedly affected while traveling off-trail in one of Yellowstone National Park’s hot spring areas is facing federal criminal charges in the incident, prompting the release of a visitor to the park. He announced that he was banned from entering and exiting.
Jason Wicks, 49, of Hillman, Michigan, was charged Wednesday with off-trail travel and being under the influence “to the extent that he endangered himself or others,” the U.S. District Attorney’s Office said. Wyoming said in a news release: he pleaded not guilty.
Wicks was charged with burglary and being under the influence of alcohol, which was dangerous to himself and others, according to court documents.
Wicks suffered a non-life-threatening injury to his foot in Tuesday night’s incident, DA spokesman Lori Hogan told CNN. Wicks suffered burns, the statement said.
As part of the conditions for Mr. Wicks’ release, prosecutors said he was barred from entering Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks until the case was resolved.
A trial date has not yet been set and the investigation is still ongoing, according to the release.
Yellowstone National Park officials warned that the ground in the thermal area is fragile and thin, with hot water pooling beneath its surface, the statement said. And there is boiling water under the surface, the release says. Therefore, visitors should remain on the boardwalks and trails and exercise extreme caution around the thermal terrain.
“In Yellowstone, hot springs injure and kill more people than any other natural phenomenon.” park warns.
CNN has reached out to Wicks for comment, but is unable to determine at this time whether Wicks has legal representation.