Marshmallow roust

Good news! Florida federal agents have apparently done such a good job clearing the shores of criminals and terrorists that they’ve moved to tackling the perversely trivial. Wyoming teacher’s aide Hope Clarke stayed in Yellowstone last year, and was fined $50 for failing to put away her marshmallows in violation of the park’s food storage […]

Good news! Florida federal agents have apparently done such a good job clearing the shores of criminals and terrorists that they’ve moved to tackling the perversely trivial.

Wyoming teacher’s aide Hope Clarke stayed in Yellowstone last year, and was fined $50 for failing to put away her marshmallows in violation of the park’s food storage requirements, a fine she was required to pay before leaving the park. But, somehow, she ended up on a bench warrant list; when her cruise ship returned from Mexico, she was rousted and handcuffed by federal agents at 6:30 am, and haled before a court in “shackles and short shorts” hours later–even though the copy of the citation showed the fine had been paid. Magistrate Judge John O’Sullivan apologized, and ordered her released over the prosecutor’s suggestion that the case be transferred to Wyoming. (Catherine Wilson, AP, Jun. 19) (via Weinstein)(& letter to the editor, Sept. 10).

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