The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Missoula, on April 21, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeremiah C. Lynch, RONALD YURCZAK, a 46-year-old resident of Columbia Falls, appeared for sentencing. YURCZAK was sentenced to a term of:

Probation: 6 months

Special Assessment: $25

Restitution: $1,171

YURCZAK was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to willfully damaging property of the United States.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On July 16, 2010, a Forest Service officer issued a citation to YURCZAK for damaging signs and latrines in and around the Lost Johnny Point campground in the Flathead National Forest. YURCZAK vandalized the signs and latrines by taking black permanent marker and writing all over them. When questioned, YURCZAK admitted the conduct to the officer.

Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that YURCZAK will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, YURCZAK does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the Law Enforcement and Investigations Division of the U.S. Forest Service.

 

 

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