Actor Pierce Brosnan has pleaded not guilty to hiking in a restricted area of Yellowstone National Park, according to court documents filed this month in federal court in Wyoming.
Brosnan, 70, faces two charges that were filed on December 23. Court documents describe one as “lockdown violation – giant bleachers,” and the other as “travelling on foot in a thermal zone.” Both incidents occurred on November 1, according to charging documents.
The Mammoth Terraces area of Yellowstone is known for its fountains and hot springs. But for the most part, Yellowstone visitors are asked to stay on the trails and monitor them from a distance. The water in the hot springs is acidic and “can cause severe or fatal burns,” according to the National Park Service. The water under the thin crust around the springs is extremely hot.
The court documents do not include details of the events of November 1 or specify how Brosnan allegedly violated restrictions at the park. Carl Nochel, the attorney representing Brosnan in the case, declined to comment, as did the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming and the National Park Service.
Brosnan, the former James Bond star, pleaded not guilty to the charges on January 4, and asked the court to cancel the hearing scheduled for January 23. Judge Stephanie Hambrick granted the request.
For the charge of “travelling on foot in a thermal area,” authorities cited a park rule that states that foot traffic “in all thermal areas and within the Yellowstone Valley between Upper Falls and Inspiration Point shall be limited to boardwalks or trails maintained for such This travel is marked with official signs.
Authorities cited a separate law for the “closure violation” charge — one that states that “it is prohibited to violate a closure, designation, restriction of use or activity, condition, schedule of visiting hours, or limit of public use.”
In November, Brosnan’s son, Paris Brosnan, shared behind-the-scenes photos from the set of “Unholy Trinity,” a film featuring his father that was filmed at the Yellowstone Film Ranch in Montana.
Previous events have highlighted the sensitivities surrounding the safety and preservation of Yellowstone hot springs. In 2016, a 23-year-old man died after slipping and falling into a spring. He ventured away from the established paths.
Last summer, a 49-year-old man was banned from Yellowstone after being accused of wandering drunk off a trail in a thermal area. He suffered burns from doing so, according to the Cowboy State Daily.