Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Living Illegally in Forest Amidst Massive Trash Hoard
Mark Aaron Gatz has pleaded guilty to violating federal fire restrictions and unlawfully residing in a national forest after authorities discovered his eight-year makeshift campsite. The illegal site, located in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, was found to be surrounded by approximately 1,000 pounds of trash, including tires and plastic bags, and contained a hot wood-burning campfire despite ongoing fire restrictions. Gatz, who claimed he needed fire to eat, had previously received multiple citations and was subject to outstanding federal arrest warrants for similar violations. He has since been sentenced to time served and three years of probation.
John Q. Hosedrinker