By Kevin Murphy
For the Times
DARLINGTON - An Aug. 23 trial date was set Tuesday in Lafayette County Circuit Court for a former state park ranger who allegedly pointed a firearm at a visitor to Yellowstone State Park last summer.
Bernard Mark Garvey, 53, of Albany, faces maximum penalties of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine if convicted before Circuit Judge William Johnston of misdemeanor endangering safety.
According to the criminal complaint:
Garvey was on duty when approached by Mark Parrot, who had ridden into the park on a motorcycle on Aug. 18 without a visitor permit. Parrott told Garvey he was going to obtain a permit but Parrott said Garvey advised him not to run from him.
As Parrott walked away, Garvey tapped Parrott on the shoulder and attempted to take him down. Parrot said he struggled with Garvey, who then handcuffed Parrott. When Parrott slipped his cuffed hands from behind his back to in front of him, Garvey touched the barrel of his service revolver to the chin guard of Parrott's helmet and say, "give me a reason."
The incident was investigated by a Capitol Police officer who found that Garvey's conduct violated Department of Natural Resources policy and Garvey didn't have the authority to point a weapon at Parrott in that situation.
Garvey has been relieved of duties, according to a DNR spokesman.
For the Times
DARLINGTON - An Aug. 23 trial date was set Tuesday in Lafayette County Circuit Court for a former state park ranger who allegedly pointed a firearm at a visitor to Yellowstone State Park last summer.
Bernard Mark Garvey, 53, of Albany, faces maximum penalties of nine months in jail and a $10,000 fine if convicted before Circuit Judge William Johnston of misdemeanor endangering safety.
According to the criminal complaint:
Garvey was on duty when approached by Mark Parrot, who had ridden into the park on a motorcycle on Aug. 18 without a visitor permit. Parrott told Garvey he was going to obtain a permit but Parrott said Garvey advised him not to run from him.
As Parrott walked away, Garvey tapped Parrott on the shoulder and attempted to take him down. Parrot said he struggled with Garvey, who then handcuffed Parrott. When Parrott slipped his cuffed hands from behind his back to in front of him, Garvey touched the barrel of his service revolver to the chin guard of Parrott's helmet and say, "give me a reason."
The incident was investigated by a Capitol Police officer who found that Garvey's conduct violated Department of Natural Resources policy and Garvey didn't have the authority to point a weapon at Parrott in that situation.
Garvey has been relieved of duties, according to a DNR spokesman.