Colorado Springs man banned from Yellowstone National Park

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – A Colorado Springs man was sentenced to seven days in jail and banned from Yellowstone National Park on Oct. 31 after walking off a designated trail.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Wyoming said Friday that 62-year-old Joseph Aita of Colorado Springs entered Canary Spring, a protected area of Mammoth Hot Springs at the north end of the park. Aita entered the protected area together with co-suspect Celia Aita and two children.

Officials said Aita pleaded guilty to destroying a mineral resource and was sentenced to five years’ probation, with a ban from Yellowstone National Park for those five years and a $3,000 fine.

Officials said he would also have to pay $60 in mandatory court costs and fees.