Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release June 26, 2018

FOUR MEN CITED FOR LOITERING IN DISASTER AREA
80 People Cited Since Beginning of East Rift Zone Eruption

(Hilo) – Four more people have been cited by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement for being in an East Rift Zone Eruption closed area.

Monday afternoon at about 4:45, four men were spotted by DOCARE officers in an area north of MacKenzie State Recreation Area.  All four were cited on two charges: loitering in a disaster area and simple trespass.  They are identified as:

Mitchell Shroyer-30 of Wisconsin
Christopher McWherter-36 of California
Nicholas Allen-27 of California
Joshua Allen-32 of California

At least 80 people have been cited by DOCARE officers and officers from the Hawai‘i County Police Dept., since the eruption began in early May.  Penalties, if convicted, can be fines as high as $5000 and a year in jail.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Dan Dennison

Senior Communications Manager
Hawaii Dept. of Land & Natural Resources
Communications Office

[email protected]
[email protected]

(808) 587-0396 (Communications Office)
(808) 587-0407 (Direct Line)