A man who authorities say lived illegally in Arizona’s Tonto National Forest for years has been sentenced after officials discovered a campsite containing an estimated 1,000 pounds of accumulated waste and evidence of unauthorized fires.
Mark Aaron Gatz pleaded guilty to violating federal fire restrictions and illegally occupying public forest land as part of a plea agreement, according to court documents.
Under the court’s judgment, Gatz received three months of probation, a $20 criminal penalty, and restrictions preventing him from visiting Arizona national forests or using cannabis. The agreement also allowed him to avoid a possible restitution payment of up to $5,000 to the United States Forest Service.
Gatz was arrested on June 25 after federal authorities investigated his long-term campsite. He had initially faced multiple charges, including illegal fire activity, exceeding camping limits, and maintaining unsanitary conditions on federal land.
According to federal court records, Gatz told investigators that he had lived in the forest for approximately eight years. Officials said he had been warned multiple times about violating camping rules and creating unauthorized fires.
Forest Service officers reported finding a large collection of discarded materials at the campsite, including tires, plastic bags, trash bags, aluminum cans, and other debris. One officer estimated that the waste pile weighed around 1,000 pounds.
Authorities said Gatz’s vehicle was located beneath a canopy structure in a wooded area accessible by a dirt trail. Investigators also found a campfire area inside an unauthorized stone structure that was reportedly used for cooking.
Officials said Gatz had been warned in May 2025 to remove the trash and leave the campsite within two weeks. Camping regulations in Tonto National Forest generally limit visitors to short stays, including a 14-day camping restriction in many areas.
By the time of his arrest, investigators said Gatz had accumulated several federal warrants and had previously received warnings related to fire restrictions, especially during periods of increased wildfire risk.
The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by public land managers in addressing illegal long-term camps, environmental damage, and fire safety violations in protected areas.
Tonto National Forest, located in central Arizona near the Phoenix metropolitan area, is one of the largest national forests in the state and includes diverse desert and mountain landscapes that attract millions of visitors each year.
