Coeur D'Alene Man Pleads Guilty To Unauthorized Use Of National Forest

COEUR D'ALENE - Peter Todd Gokey, 46, of Blanchard, Idaho, pleaded guilty yesterday to unauthorized use of National Forest lands, U.S. Attorney Wendy J. Olson announced. Gokey was indicted by a federal grand jury in Coeur d'Alene on March 18, 2014.

According to the plea agreement, Gokey admitted that on and prior to January 15, 2013, he went on U.S. Forest Service land with the intent to cut down timber on the land, an activity that requires special-use authorization issued by the Forest Service. The defendant had not applied for a special-use authorization to deforest the land when scouting the land for clearing.

Use or occupancy of the National Forest System land or facilities without special-use authorization is punishable by up to six months in prison or five years of probation, and a maximum fine of $500.00.

Sentencing is set for February 18, 2015, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale at the federal courthouse in Coeur d'Alene.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service.