Arizona Man Gets Probation, No Fine After Pleading Guilty to Forest Violations

Mark Aaron Gatz was sentenced to time served and three years of probation after pleading guilty to violating federal fire restrictions and unlawfully residing in Tonto National Forest, nypost.com reported. The 65-year-old had lived off the grid for about eight years in a remote section of the Arizona forest. Gatz was arrested June 25 after a U.S.

Forest Service officer found an illegal campsite with a hot wood-burning campfire while fire restrictions were in effect. ” Court records showed he had received multiple prior citations and faced six outstanding federal arrest warrants for earlier violations including building fires during restrictions, constructing structures, and maintaining unsanitary conditions.

Forest Service officers had contacted Gatz several times over the past year and issued warnings and a violation notice.

In May they estimated the site held roughly 1,000 pounds of trash including tires, plastic bags, aluminum cans, three ladders, five 55-gallon drums, eight tires, multiple bicycle frames, five gallons of motor oil, plywood, and other lumber scattered across half an acre.

” An earlier July 2025 report described the location as a “large messy campsite” investigated after district office complaints. The court ordered Gatz to pay a $20 special assessment within 30 days of July 6, 2026.

It waived any fine after determining he was unable to pay and ordered no restitution.