Juneau, Alaska – United States Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that Michael A. Paquette, a resident of Juneau, Alaska, was sentenced in federal court in Juneau to 30 days and a $1,000 fine for his conviction of threatening, resisting, intimidating, and interfering with a Forest Service Officer.

United States Magistrate Judge Leslie C. Longenbaugh imposed the sentence on Paquette, age 49.

According to information presented to the court by Assistant United States Attorney Jack Schmidt, Paquette was walking his unleashed dogs in the Mendenhall Recreation Area when he was contacted by a female Forest Service Officer and advised to leash his animals and remove them because the area had been closed to the possession of pets due to bear activity. Paquette immediately became aggressive and stepped in front of the officer and placed his body within inches of her. Paquette who is six feet tall and weighs over 300 pounds immediately began yelling and screaming epithets at the Forest Service Officer who became fearful that Paquette may become violent. The Forest Service Officer involved is five feet four inches tall and weighs 140 pounds.

The defendant was cited for the offense on September 30, 2009, and was subsequently arrested by the State of Alaska on charges later that day for spiting in the face of a Sears manager and challenging him to a fight. Paquette was convicted in that case in December and was sentenced to four months in jail.

Magistrate Judge Longenbaugh additionally imposed a year of probation with the condition that Paquette be banned from the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area located in the Tongass National Forest for the period of probation and to enroll, pay for, and successfully complete an anger management program.

Prior to imposing sentence, Magistrate Judge Longenbaugh noted the importance of deterring the defendant and others from this type of conduct and the sentence recognizes the seriousness of the offense. Magistrate Judge Longenbaugh also noted the defendant’s past violent criminal history when imposing sentence.

Ms. Loeffler commended the United States Forest Service for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Paquette.

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