David Tyler Regnier, Assaulting a Federal Employee, Wyoming 2024

Wyoming - On September 18, 2024, David Tyler Regnier, 67, of Bend, Oregon, demonstrated a reckless disregard for the law and the safety of others when he assaulted a federal employee with a dangerous weapon in a construction zone within Yellowstone National Park.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Regnier was driving a jeep that was approaching the intersection at Canyon Junction, where road construction was underway. The two Yellowstone National Park employees, who were directing traffic, noticed Regnier driving the wrong way down the road in an attempt to bypass waiting traffic.

When one of the employees informed Regnier that he could not proceed and needed to back up, Regnier accelerated, driving into the employee and physically pushing him backwards. The employee jumped out of the jeep's path after it struck him.

The incident was investigated by National Park Service law enforcement officers, who later stopped Regnier and arrested him for his involvement in the assault.

Regnier was convicted by a federal jury on May 21, 2025, after a three-day trial held before U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin.

Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie I. Sprecher stated, 'Our office will take a strong stance against the frequent acts of violence directed at public servants who are merely doing their jobs to protect the community.'

Regnier now faces the consequences of his actions. Sentencing has been set for August 7, 2025, and he may be sentenced to up to 20 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and fined up to $250,000, in addition to a $100 special assessment.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wy/pr/oregon-man-found-guilty-assaulting-yellowstone-national-park-employee-construction-zone