A man is facing up to five years in federal prison after authorities say he lived illegally in an Arizona national forest for nearly a decade, leaving behind roughly half a ton of trash.
The case began after the US Forest Service received repeated reports of large structures, multiple fire pits, years of accumulated waste, and household items spread across about an acre of Tonto National Forest.
Officers identified the occupant as 65-year-old Mark Gatz, who allegedly ignored repeated warnings, citations, and federal arrest warrants related to illegal campfires, unauthorized structures, and living on federal land.
One US Forest Service officer described it as "one of the worst residential cases" he had ever encountered.
When officers located the campsite, they found around 1,000 pounds of trash, a makeshift parking area, an outdoor cooking station, and containers of motor oil. Federal rules generally limit camping in national forests to 14 days within a 30-day period, making the long-term camp an unauthorized residence.
Gatz was arrested on June 25 and told investigators he had been living in the forest for about eight years, including roughly two years at the same campsite.
He now faces multiple federal charges, including unauthorized residence on national forest land, constructing structures, leaving refuse, and failing to extinguish fires. He is scheduled to appear before a federal judge on July 6 and could face up to five years in prison if convicted.