California Man Sentenced For Causing Damage At Yellowstone NP Hotel

A California man has admitted to being in a drunken rage and causing damage at one of the hotels in Yellowstone National Park and assaulting law enforcement personnel.

27-year old Benjamin Bagala was sentenced to 9 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to 3 counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, and one count of depredation against property of the United States.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, in late September 2021, Bagala was at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and was drinking heavily and started harassing other guests, running through the halls, breaking various items and eventually approached a security guard with threatening behavior. 

A law enforcement officer was called to the scene, but Bagala’s action continued and he eventually attacked the officer.

After Bagala was tased and subdued, an ambulance was called to take him to a hospital to treat his injuries from earlier.

Two other law enforcement officers arrived to help transport Bagala to the hospital, with one riding in the back of the ambulance.

During transport, Bagala broke free of his restraints and started fighting with both officers, who suffered injuries from the attack.

The hotel reported more than $2,800 in damage, which Bagala must pay in restitution.

After his prison sentence, he will be placed under one year of supervised release and is banned from Yellowstone National Park.

The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is about 1 mile south of Fishing Bridge on the east side of the park.