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Man Sentenced in Vandalism to Staney Creek Cabin

Contact: Carolyn Perkins, Assistant District Attorney, 907-225-6128

Tongass National Forest, Alaska, May 18 - The perpetrator who vandalized a Forest Service cabin in October pled guilty to a set of charges and was sentenced by the court this month. Under the terms of the sentencing, Justin Seley will serve 50 days in jail and pay $1,906.87 restitution to the Forest Service for damage to the cabin. Seley will also be on probation for three years, during which he is prohibited from consuming alcohol and from using Forest Service cabins.

The Forest became aware of damage to Staney Creek cabin in October 2006. Several individuals present at the time of vandalism admitted to using the cabin without authorization and consuming alcohol. These individuals were issued citations. Witnesses also identified Seley to Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers, who took the case to the State for investigation. Seley was indicted by a Grand Jury in October and, once an arrest warrant was issued, arrested by Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers and Alaska State Troopers. Seley ultimately pled guilty to criminal mischief, furnishing alcohol to a minor, and driving under the influence.

A second cabin vandalism case on Prince of Wales Island has also resulted in citations. On March 16, 2007, six individuals were cited for failure to pay cabin use fee, failure to dispose of all garbage by removal from the site, and damaging government property at the Control Lake cabin.

"Forest Service cabins are part of the Tongass National Forest's history and character," said Jason Anderson, Thorne Bay District Ranger. "I am very happy with these outcomes and feel they reflect society's impatience with those who would destroy such an important public resource."