New Plymouth guide acquitted of forest littering

Jason R. Waller, 41, was accused of defecating next to the Payette River and leaving beer cans, truck parts, clothing and bottles at four different campsites in the Nez Perce/Clearwater National Forest.

U.S. Magistrate Candy Dale found Waller not guilty on Tuesday, following a two-day trial in federal court in Boise.

Waller was charged with five misdemeanors, one count of place items that could cause pollution near a stream and four counts of failing to dispose of garbage. A U.S. Forest Service police officer found evidence of littering between Aug. 31, 2013, and Sept. 9 of that year in four campgrounds between Elk City and Dixie in Central Idaho.

Waller, who represented himself in court, could not be reached Tuesday for comment. Two telephone numbers formerly associated with him were not in service.

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM with the headline "New Plymouth guide acquitted of forest littering."