Jennings Resident Settles Trespass and Destruction of Cimarron River Public Property Claims

TULSA, Okla.—A Jennings man agreed to pay $4,000 in civil penalties to settle allegations of trespass and destruction of United States Government property on the Cimarron River, announced Danny C. Williams Sr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

According to the settlement agreement, Baaron Hagood owns residential property near the Cimarron River adjacent to property owned and maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

From 2011 through 2014, Hagood bulldozed a 16 foot wide dirt road from his property, across Government property, to the Cimarron River. This resulted in the destruction of numerous mature trees and native grasses. Hagood allowed his guests to use All-Terrain Vehicles on Government property which created trails stretching for over a mile along the river. In addition, Hagood stored a canoe, a fishing boat and fishing equipment on Government property.

The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Marianne Hardcastle and Assistant District Counsel for the Army Corps of Engineers, Alexandria Tramel and Jason Chester.

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