YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (NMB) – A California man has been sentenced to nine months in jail for assaulting law enforcement officers at Lake Yellowstone Hotel in Yellowstone National Park last September in a drunken rage.
27-year-old Benjamin J. Bagala of Santa Rosa pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers and one count of depredation against U.S. property.
Bagala must pay over $2,800 in restitution, is banned from the Park, and must continue alcohol treatment.
The government alleged that on September 25th, Bagala was heavily intoxicated and began harassing guests, running through halls and breaking things. He eventually approached a security guard with threatening behavior. A law enforcement officer was called to the scene as Bagala escalated his attacks. Bagala was tased and taken into custody. While being transported in an ambulance to a hospital for injuries, Bagala broke out of his restraints and fought with an officer.
Two officers were injured from Bagala’s actions, and the Hotel reported over $2,800 in damages.
