Pierce Brosnan Fined $500 After Pleading Guilty In Yellowstone National Park Incident
The legal issues faced by Pierce Brosnan in Wyoming are nearing a conclusion.
Last Thursday, the renowned 'James Bond' actor confessed to straying from the assigned trail within a thermal region of Yellowstone National Park in November 2023, as detailed in court papers submitted to Wyoming's U.S. District Court and acquired by 'USA TODAY.' The actor trespassed in hot springs, where acid rising from the ground can reach boiling temperatures.
Brosnan received a citation for this infraction, alongside another for purportedly breaching a closure at Mammoth Hot Springs, both issued on November 1, 2023.
The 70-year-old received a $500 fine for deviating from the designated trail and was directed by the judge to contribute $1,000 to the nonprofit group Yellowstone Forever. The court dismissed the additional violation against him.
The Irish performer and his legal representative attended the arraignment virtually on Thursday morning. Previously, court records obtained by USA TODAY indicate that he had entered a plea of not guilty to both charges in January.
On Thursday, Brosnan used his Instagram platform to express regret and offer an apology for his mistake.
"As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world. However, I made an impulsive mistake - one that I do not take lightly - when entering a thermal area covered in snow in Yellowstone National Park to take a photograph," he said in the post. "I did not see a 'No Trespassing' sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area."
He continued: "I deeply regret my transgression and offer my heartfelt apologies to all for trespassing in this sensitive area. Yellowstone and all our National Parks are to be cared for and preserved for all to enjoy."
According to the BBC, at least 22 people have died from burns sustained by the park's springs from the millions of visitors who visit yearly.
