By Jim Stanford on February 23, 2007
Paul DeBoer, the mounted menace whose run-ins with users of Game Creek Canyon have had him in and out of court since 2003, faces four new criminal charges that finally may land him on the trail to jail.
In papers filed Friday in 9th Circuit Court in Jackson, DeBoer was charged with three counts of reckless endangering and one count of reckless driving for allegedly buzzing three mountain bike riders with his truck on July 1, 2006.
DeBoer was on probation at the time for a previous conflict in the Game Creek area. The charges, all misdemeanors, carry a maximum penalty of three and a half years in prison and a fine of $750.
DeBoer already was scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Tuesday for a hearing on two allegations he violated his probation. At that time he will be issued a summons on the new charges, and another court date likely will be set.
Deputy County Prosecutor Brian Hultman withdrew a motion on the alleged probation violations when he filed the criminal charges Friday. Hultman still has not played what may be his strongest hand, allegations that DeBoer smeared dog shit on cars at the Game Creek parking area in January 2006; fingerprints found at the scene matched DeBoer’s.
Today’s charges stem from an incident in which DeBoer, driving his truck, allegedly came within six inches of hitting a group of mountain bikers riding on Game Creek Road.
Cyclists Mike Piker, Gabe Kamer and Richard VanGytenbeek told sheriff’s investigators that DeBoer nearly forced them off the road as they pedaled toward the Game Creek Trail.
Piker said he was angry and scared with DeBoer’s reckless driving and “flipped him off,” according to court documents. A confrontation ensued, with DeBoer stopping his truck, getting out and telling the cyclists they should have been riding in single file.
The argument between Piker and DeBoer “got very heated,” but no physical violence occurred, according to court documents.
Piker told investigators he had two previous run-ins with DeBoer over use of the Game Creek Trail.
Located in the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the trail is a popular recreation spot, particularly for mountain bikers and hikers with dogs. DeBoer, who has a barn and keeps horses at the mouth of the canyon, has been irked by increasing use of the trail and what he perceives as unlawful behavior by pet owners and cyclists.
As such, DeBoer has become a trail-riding vigilante, harassing trail users and filming them with a video camera. Often he blocks the trail on his horse and makes threatening remarks when other riders try to pass.
For more background on the case, click here.
Posted under horses, mountain biking, national forest, paul deboer, trails
Come on Mr. DeBoer? The times they are a changin’ in good ole’ Jackson Hole. Why can’t you come to accept this? Game Creek is shut down to camping, there are twice as many people living here than 20 years ago, and you know what? I even saw you shopping at Smith’s?! You’ve accepted that change. Are you going to start riding your horse around in the Smith’s parking lot, too?! Get real. Give in a little. Leave those kids alone!