A man has been sentenced after authorities discovered a large illegal campsite filled with nearly 1,000 pounds of waste inside Arizona’s Tonto National Forest, where he allegedly lived for several years without authorization.
Mark Aaron Gatz pleaded guilty to violating federal fire restrictions and illegally occupying public forest land, according to court records. As part of a plea agreement, he received three months of probation, a $20 criminal penalty, and restrictions preventing him from visiting Arizona national forests or using cannabis.
Authorities arrested Gatz on June 25 after a federal investigation into his long-term unauthorized stay in the forest. He had initially faced multiple federal charges, including illegal campfires, exceeding camping limits, improper disposal of waste, and maintaining an unauthorized residence on federal property.
According to court documents, forest officials had previously warned Gatz about the conditions at his campsite and instructed him to remove the accumulated waste and leave the area. Officers said he had been living on forest land for approximately eight years.
Investigators reported finding a large collection of discarded materials at the campsite, including tires, plastic bags, garbage bags, aluminum cans, and other debris. One officer estimated the trash pile weighed about 1,000 pounds.
The campsite was located roughly half a mile along a dirt road in a remote area of the forest. Officials said Gatz’s vehicle was parked beneath a canopy-like structure, and an illegal fire area was found inside a stone-built structure reportedly used for cooking.
Federal authorities said Gatz had received multiple warnings before his arrest, including citations related to unauthorized fires during periods when restrictions were in place due to wildfire risks.
The United States Forest Service limits camping stays in many areas, including Tonto National Forest, where visitors are generally restricted to short-term stays. Officials said Gatz’s prolonged occupation violated those regulations and created environmental concerns.
Under the court agreement, Gatz avoided a possible restitution order of up to $5,000 for cleanup costs. He must now comply with probation requirements and remain away from Arizona’s national forests.
The case highlights ongoing challenges faced by federal land managers in addressing illegal long-term camps, waste accumulation, and fire safety violations in protected natural areas.
