A court has ordered former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan to pay a fine after he walked through an off-limits thermal area within Yellowstone National Park.
Mr. Brosnan, 70, has been fined $500 and directed to make a $1,000 contribution to the Yellowstone Forever Geological Fund, in addition to a $30 court processing fee and a $10 special assessment.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick handed down the sentence on March 14 in Mammoth, Wyoming, according to court documents.
Judge Hambrick dismissed a second petty offense for violating closures and use limits.
This comes two months after he pleaded not guilty to trespassing into a protected thermal zone within Yellowstone National Park on Jan. 4, according to court records.
A hearing to change the plea was set for Thursday, but Judge Hambrick denied the motion. Mr. Brosnan’s lawyer asked the judge on Tuesday to continue with the hearing, but the motion was denied.
According to the court records, “on or about” Nov. 1, 2023, Mr. Brosnan shared images on his Instagram account depicting himself standing on a thermal feature within Yellowstone’s Mammoth Hot Springs area. This thermal area is a scenic location where visitors can see hot springs bubbling from a hillside, covered in minerals.
The U.S. attorney’s office for Wyoming has confirmed that he was at the park for personal reasons and not for filming.
The DOJ said there were warning signs in the vicinity cautioning visitors about the hazards of thermal features and instructing them to stick to designated boardwalks and trails.
“As an environmentalist I have the utmost respect for and love of our natural world,” Mr. Brosnan said.
“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. I did not see a ‘No Trespassing’ sign posted that warned of danger nor did I hike in the immediate area.
“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. #StayOnThePath,” he added.
The United States Attorney’s Office had recommended a two-year probationary period and a maximum fine of $5,000 for Mr. Brosnan.
According to a criminal docket filed in the U.S. District Court in Wyoming on Dec. 26, 2023, the actor received citations for venturing on foot into thermal areas and Yellowstone Canyon, deviating from designated trails and violating closures and usage restrictions, all classified as petty offenses.
The National Park Service (NPS) reminded visitors of the fragility of the ground in thermal zones and the dangers posed by scalding water beneath the surface.
“Therefore, trespassing on thermal features is dangerous and can harm delicate natural resources within the park,” the news release states.
“Additionally, the park was established primarily to protect these hydrothermal areas. NPS encourages visitors to exercise extreme caution around thermal features by staying on boardwalks and trails.”
NPS stressed the imperative to exercise caution and not go out of bounds. Over the years, dozens of people have died in the thermal areas.
Yellowstone’s official guidance advises visitors to remain on boardwalks and trails to protect both themselves and the delicate thermal formations.
Trespassing in such areas carries significant risks, as demonstrated by numerous incidents of severe burns and fatalities resulting from disregarding safety protocols over the years.
Mr. Brosnan appeared remotely at the hearing on Thursday.
