Pendleton man gets jail for harassing Yellowstone bison

(Update: Comments at sentencing)

BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) – A 55-year-old Pendleton, Oregon man who was sentenced Thursday for drunken behavior in two national parks in Wyoming said he and his buddy were on a “last hurrah” tour before he entered alcohol treatment.

Raymond Reinke’s crimes drew national attention when at least one Yellowstone National Park visitor captured a video of him harassing a bison that had stopped traffic.

Reinke pleaded guilty during a federal court appearance in Mammoth, Wyoming. He was sentenced to 130 days in jail – 60 days for harassing wildlife, 60 days for interfering with law enforcement and 10 days for disorderly conduct. He was given credit for 21 days served.

Reinke is banned from Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier national parks for a five-year probationary period, during which he is not allowed to drink alcohol. His planned chemical dependency treatment is now court-ordered.

Reinke was arrested Aug. 3 in Glacier National Park after being cited for misconduct in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks.

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Information from: KWYB-TV, http://abcfoxmontana.com