An Oregon man has been found guilty of assaulting a Yellowstone National Park employee with a dangerous weapon after using his vehicle to push the worker during an active road construction operation.

David Tyler Regnier, 67, of Bend, Oregon, was convicted by a federal jury on May 21, 2025, following a three-day trial held before U.S. District Court Judge Kelly H. Rankin. The jury found Regnier guilty of assaulting a federal employee with a dangerous weapon, a serious felony offense under federal law.

Construction Zone Encounter Turns Violent

According to evidence presented at trial and court records, the incident occurred on September 18, 2024, near Canyon Junction in Yellowstone National Park, where road construction was underway. Two Yellowstone National Park employees were assigned to direct traffic through the construction zone to ensure safety for both workers and visitors.

Witnesses testified that Regnier approached the intersection driving a jeep and attempted to bypass a line of vehicles by going the wrong way down a restricted section of road. When employees instructed him to stop and back up, Regnier became visibly agitated and expressed frustration over the traffic delays and road closures.

One of the employees stood in the path of the jeep holding a stop sign to prevent further movement, while the other instructed Regnier to reverse course. Instead, Regnier accelerated, using his vehicle to physically push the park employee backwards. The employee, after being struck, was able to jump out of the way to avoid more serious injury.

Regnier was later intercepted and arrested by Yellowstone National Park Service law enforcement officers.

Federal Prosecutors Take Hard Line on Violence Against Public Employees

The case drew strong condemnation from federal authorities, who emphasized the growing concern over violence against public servants in the line of duty.

“Our office will take a strong stance against the frequent acts of violence directed at public servants who are merely doing their jobs to protect the community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie I. Sprecher following the verdict.

The offense carries serious consequences. Regnier now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, along with three years of supervised release, a possible $250,000 fine, and a $100 special assessment. Sentencing has been scheduled for August 7, 2025.

Park Rangers and Prosecutors Respond

The case was investigated by National Park Service law enforcement officers, who handle criminal investigations within the federal lands under the Park Service’s jurisdiction. Prosecutorial duties were led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook, who presented the case before the jury.

Officials say the incident is part of a broader trend of increasing aggression toward public employees, especially those tasked with maintaining safety and order in national parks and other protected lands.

With more than 4 million annual visitors, Yellowstone National Park often experiences congestion, especially during peak seasons when construction and maintenance work are underway to preserve roads and infrastructure. Park staff regularly face challenges from impatient or aggressive motorists who ignore or defy traffic control measures.

This conviction serves as a warning, federal authorities said, that violence against federal employees—especially in protected areas like national parks—will be met with full legal force.

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Originally reported by K2 Radio.