Kyle F. Campbell, Disorderly Conduct, Wyoming 2021

Grimy Times has learned that Kyle F. Campbell, a 31-year-old man from Fairmont, Indiana, has been sentenced for his role in disrupting a guided kayak trip in Yellowstone National Park.

Campbell pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly conduct, threatening, resisting, and intentionally interfering with a government employee, violating the lawful order of a government employee, being under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance to a degree that may endanger oneself or others, and contempt of court for refusing to comply with a warrant to collect a blood sample.

The incident occurred on June 21, 2021, when Campbell and a group of individuals were scheduled for a guided kayak trip at the Grant Marina in Yellowstone National Park. The guide refused to take the group as he thought they were too intoxicated.

Campbell and his group became upset and created a disturbance that led the kayak guide to call security officers and park law enforcement rangers. During the encounter, Campbell made threatening comments and gestures toward the officers, exhibited signs of being intoxicated, and refused to obey officers’ orders.

Campbell continually struggled and kicked at the rangers, resisting arrest, and later injuring himself while banging his head in the patrol car.

Campbell was sentenced to 60 days imprisonment, a five-year term of unsupervised probation, and banned from Yellowstone National Park for five years. He was also ordered to pay $1,550 in fines and a $50 special assessment fee.

‘We understand that people are eager to get out this summer and enjoy our national parks; however, this type of behavior is unacceptable,’ said Acting United States Attorney Bob Murray.

‘Thanks to the quick actions taken by park rangers and the park vendor’s security officers, no one was seriously harmed. Stay sober, because unruly and intoxicated behavior will only earn you a spot with the jailbirds rather than enjoying the beauty and adventure of Yellowstone.’

The incident was handled by rangers of the National Park Service and security officers of Xanterra Parks and Resorts. Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Hambrick prosecuted the case.

For questions relating to Yellowstone National Park, please contact Public Affairs Specialist Morgan Warthin at 307.344.2015 or Yell_Public_Affairs@nps.gov.

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