Regional
South Lake Tahoe Man Sentenced for Snowmobile Violations
Author: USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Mgt Unit
Published on Oct 24, 2007, 09:29

The USDA Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, successfully prosecuted a South Lake Tahoe man for operating his snowmobile in a closed area and evading the Forest Protection Officer who attempted to stop him.

United States Magistrate Gregory Hollows sentenced Robert Jan Scotford, age 47, to 7 days in Federal custody for evading a Forest Service Officer. The violation occurred on March 4, 2006 in the Freel Peak closure area. A Forest Protection Officer attempted to stop and contact Scotford, who was riding his snowmobile in the closed area. Scotford evaded him and resisted several commands by the officer to stop.

Scotford was charged with nine counts in a bench trial at the United States District Court in Sacramento, CA. Scotford was found guilty on four, including interfering with an officer, failure to stop a vehicle when directed by an officer, operation of a vehicle in a manner that violates a Forest Service order, and operation of a vehicle that violates government regulations. Scotford is a British citizen and was ordered to surrender his passport pending service of his sentence.

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