Viktor Pyshniuk, a 21-year-old from Lynnwood, has been sentenced to seven days in jail after trespassing in a closed thermal area of Yellowstone National Park near the unpredictable Steamboat Geyser. A park employee reported Pyshniuk walking off the boardwalk, and he was photographed crossing over a fence, found within 20 feet of the geyser's steam vent. Following his jail time, Pyshniuk is subject to two years of unsupervised release, a two-year ban from the park, and must pay $1,550 in fines. Judge Stephanie Hambrick remarked that the sentence aims to deter both Pyshniuk and the public from leaving designated walkways in hazardous areas. Park officials reiterated the dangers posed by geothermal features and the importance of adhering to safety regulations.

U. S. Attorney Eric Heimann stated that significant penalties will be pursued for those who willfully disregard safety signage in national parks. This case serves as a crucial reminder of the risks associated with geothermal areas and the legal consequences of ignoring park regulations.