Thread: Tucson man convicted of littering by leaving water jugs

Tucson man convicted of littering on federal land by leaving water jugs

Jun. 4, 2009 11:21 AM
Associated Press .

TUCSON - A Tucson man has been convicted of littering on federal land but says he'll continue to leave water out for illegal immigrants walking through the Arizona desert.

"We're committed to our humanitarian efforts," said Walt Staton, who was found guilty Wednesday in U.S. District Court of knowingly littering on a national wildlife refuge.

Staton, 27, is a Web designer and volunteer with humanitarian group No More Deaths.
He was cited Dec. 4 for littering when U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted him placing unopened gallon containers of water in the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge southwest of Tucson.

Staton faces up to one year in prison and a $10,000 fine when he is sentenced Aug. 11.

His attorney said he plans to appeal the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/ ... tml?&wired

He's not putting this water out on private property.

That's the problem with this "effort" it could actually cause deaths. If some human trafficker becomes dependent on that water drop and the guy dropping it off suddenly stops (went on vacation, had a medical emergency...) them people die. But you can't convince a foolish dogooder of that, until they kill someone and it can be directly linked to them. People die in the desert because they crossed it.

I volunteer and give to charity so I understand why people are charitable and compassionate but often it has a consequence, if not preformed with all situations considered.

Dixie

Hmm has the border patrol ever added littering as a charge against apprehended IAs? I'd be all for the year in jail and a fine then.