Former Juneau Resident Pleads Guilty to Unauthorized Burning Of Timber And Failing To Maintain Control of Non-Prescribed Fire

Juneau, Alaska-U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that a former Juneau resident pled guilty to charges related to a Jan. 15, 2015, unauthorized burning of timber and failure to maintain control of a fire located within the Tongass National Forest. 

John H. Shryne, 31, of Olympia, Washington, was arraigned and pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie C. Longenbaugh on the charges of unauthorized burning of timber and failing to maintain control of a non-prescribed fire, contained in a two-count information.  Judge Longenbaugh subsequently sentenced Shryne to pay a $2,400 fine and placed him on one year of probation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack S. Schmidt, who prosecuted the case, indicated that United States Forest Service (USFS) Law Enforcement had been investigating a number of tree pitch fires occurring on local hiking trails within the Juneau area.  On Jan. 15, 2015, Shryne was observed by a USFS Law Enforcement Officer conducting surveillance, entering and subsequently leaving the Tolch Rock Trail within the Tongass National Forest.  After observing Shryne and another individual leaving the area, the USFS officer entered the trail and observed a tree on fire approximately 100 yards from the trailhead and a few feet from off the trail.  The fire was extinguished and evidence at the scene was collected.  On Feb. 13, 2015, Shryne was interviewed by USFS Law Enforcement and admitted he had set the fire at the Tolch Rock Trail on USFS land and admitted to setting several other fires on other trails located within the City and Borough of Juneau.

During sentencing, Judge Longenbaugh noted the seriousness of the offense, as well as the need to address the defendant’s serious substance abuse and mental health issues.  Judge Longenbaugh also ordered the defendant to obtain a substance abuse and mental health evaluation and follow their recommendations, as well as, monthly drug testing. 

The USFS Law Enforcement conducted the investigation leading to the conviction in this case.