UPDATE: Man Who Walked on Old Faithful Identified
UPDATE: Authorities have now identified the man arrested for walking on Old Faithful in Yellowstone. Gabriel Villalva of Greeley, Colorado has been charged with Foot Travel in Thermal Areas, Violating a lawful order of a government employee, and threat, resistance, intimidation with the intent to interfere with agency functions, and finally disorderly conduct. They are all misdemeanors. The details of his actions are still under seal.
It was confirmed for K2 Radio News by the US Attorney's Office.
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Yellowstone National Park rangers arrested a man on Friday after he reportedly walked on the cone of Old Faithful, perhaps the most well-known geyser in Yellowstone National Park.
The man, whom park officials have thus far declined to identify, was charged with multiple violations including being off-trail in a thermal area. The suspect is no longer in custody; he was released on bond.
According to a Yellowstone National Park spokesperson, the incident was captured on Yellowstone's webcams. It remains under investigation, which is the reason park officials have declined to identify the suspect.
"We take these cases very seriously," Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk said in a statement. "The law requires people to stay on boardwalks or marked trails in thermal areas. Anyone who ignores this law risks their life and possibly the lives of emergency personnel."
Park officials emphasized the danger posed by geysers and hot springs, saying that many people have been injured or killed by underestimating that danger.