Black Hills National Forest

US Forest Service
Black Hills National Forest
1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
605-673-9227

News Release

USDA Forest Service

Black Hills National Forest

Contact: Frank Carroll (605) 673-9216, or email us at r2 blackhills webinfo@fs.fed.us

FOREST SERVICE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS RESULT IN FINES, JAIL TIME

SPEARFISH, SD: JUNE 30, 2006

Law enforcement officers on the Black Hills National Forest have stepped up efforts to fight illegal activity on public lands, and the results have meant fines and jail time for offenders.

On June 15 Joshua P. Geffre, age 19, and his girlfriend (a minor), age 17, of Lead, South Dakota, were sentenced in federal court on charges of possession of alcohol and resisting or interfering with a Forest Service law enforcement officer.

Geffre was also sentenced for operating a vehicle in a careless and reckless manner – an ATV - as well as failing to stop his vehicle when directed to do so by a Forest Service law enforcement officer.

The court ordered Geffre to pay fines totaling $1090.00, and sentenced him to 30 days in jail with 30 days suspended on condition that Geffre not enter the Black Hills National Forest for a period of three years and not operate an ATV for a period of three years. Geffre's mother, the registered owner of the ATV that Geffre was operating, was ordered to sell the ATV or have it locked up in a law enforcement impound yard.

Geffre has served five (5) days in jail on these charges and paid over $800.00 in fines.
Geffre’s girl friend has been ordered to pay fines totaling $670.00.

In another case on June 15 John R. Carlton of Rapid City, SD was found guilty in federal court of operating his ATV four wheeler on a closed Forest Service road near the Piedmont Fire Trail. Carlton was ordered to pay a fine of $235.00.