WA Man Charged In Grand Canyon Hike That Broke COVID Rules: DOJ

Seattle WA

10 May, 2021

2:27 PM

Description

WASHINGTON — A 33-year-old former health care executive from Chehalis is facing federal charges after he led more than 150 people on a hike in the Grand Canyon last October, according to a criminal complaint filed last week. Federal prosecutors said Joseph Don Mount intentionally provided false information, interfered with a government employee, conducted business without a permit and violated limits related to group size and COVID-19 prevention measures. According to the complaint, Mount took thousands of dollars in registration fees and other costs for the trip, then led 153 people from multiple states on the hike on Oct. 24, 2020. Prosecutors said Grand Canyon officials learned of the planned hike in September, and Mount lied to park rangers about the size and scope of the event. An undercover park ranger reported seeing a large group of hikers at a trailhead on the day of the hike and said hikers were not able to properly distance or follow other COVID-19 public health requirements. The Daily Beast reports Mount faces five misdemeanor charges stemming from the event and denies he broke any laws. Read more on Arizona Patch.