Yosemite, CA — A Wisconsin man who was unlawfully camping in Yosemite National Park and attacked a ranger has received his sentencing.
32-year-old Michael Anthony Valencia of Appleton pleaded guilty in March to assaulting a federal officer, interfering with a government employee engaged in official duties, and camping without a permit.
Federal prosecutors note, “Beginning in June and continuing through July 22, 2024, Valencia began misusing the 911 emergency system that serves Yosemite National Park by making a series of non-emergency calls intended to harass dispatchers and law enforcement officers. Investigators identified the source and location of the calls and hiked to the location where Valencia had been camping without a permit for an extended time. Valencia stated that if he had had a gun, he would have shot one of the rangers. Valencia then punched and injured one of the rangers who served citations to Valencia.”
Valencia, who has been in custody since July of 2024, was sentenced by US District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff to the time already served, along with three years of supervised release. The National Park Service conducted the investigation, and Assistant US Attorney David L. Gappa prosecuted the case.
