HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Gary L. DuRocher, age 42, formerly a resident of Maryland, was sentenced today to 33 months imprisonment by United States District Court Judge John E. Jones, III in Harrisburg, for threats and starting a fire at Gettysburg National Park.
DuRocher was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $ 28,385.58 for the destruction of the hay on Park-owned property and clean-up costs. DuRocher has been in custody since August 2014.
According to U.S. Attorney Peter Smith, on August 8, 2014, DuRocher was involved in a dispute in the Park that led to his fleeing the scene. During his flight, DuRocher set fire to more than 200 bales of hay on Park-owned property to create a diversion. During that flight, DuRocher also sent text messages threatening to do harm to another person.
The case was investigated by the National Park Service with the assistance of Cumberland Township, Gettysburg Borough, McSherrystown Borough, Pennsylvania State Police and Maryland State Police, as well as fire and emergency response personnel from around the Gettysburg area. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James T. Clancy.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
