James Bond star due in court – media

Hollywood star Pierce Brosnan has been accused of unlawful access to Yellowstone’s restricted area

Dec 30, 2023 - 21:48 Updated: Dec 30, 2023 - 21:52

According to reports, Pierce Brosnan received a ticket for trekking in a hazardous "thermal area" within Yellowstone National Park.

Citing court documents, some media agencies stated that Pierce Brosnan, an Irish actor, received a ticket for accessing a restricted area at Wyoming's Yellowstone National Park.

According to records examined by the Los Angeles Times, the 70-year-old was cited for "foot travel in a thermal area" of Yellowstone last month while visiting the expansive wildlife reserve.

Brosnan has been reportedly ordered to appear at a US District Court in Wyoming on January 23 to begin his legal proceedings.

The actor – who had been filming for the upcoming movie ‘Unholy Trinity’ in nearby Montana – was also cited for “violating closures and use limits” at Yellowstone. While it remains unclear whether he will be charged criminally, such cases can carry fines and up to six months behind bars, according to the Justice Department.

Safety guidelines on the park’s website urge visitors to “always walk on boardwalks and designated trails,” noting that thermal formations such as geysers and hot springs can “cause severe or fatal burns.”

“New hazards can bubble up overnight, and pools are acidic enough to burn through boots, so you must stay in designated walking areas. The park service has established boardwalks for an easy and safe approach to thermal features,” the guidelines state.

According to NBC News, at least 20 people have been killed by Yellowstone’s natural thermal features since 1890.

Thousands of tourists travel to the 2.2 million acre (9,000 sq km) park each year, many drawn to its scenic views, as well as its numerous steam vents, hot springs and geysers – notably the ‘Old Faithful,’ which has erupted on a predictable hourly basis for decades.

Earlier this year, a Michigan man suffered severe burns after allegedly meandering into a restricted area of the park while intoxicated. He was later charged with federal crimes over the incident, with US attorneys deeming the man a “danger to himself or others.” He has since pleaded not guilty.

The actor, who is the fifth actor to play the British super spy, is best recognized for his leading parts in James Bond movies from the 1990s to the early 2000s. Throughout his forty-year career, Brosnan has starred in numerous Hollywood movies; the most recent being "The Rifleman" and the upcoming "Unholy Trinity," in which he will co-star with Samuel L. Jackson.