A trail runner has got a legal reprieve. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he would pardon the outdoorsman. The runner got in trouble after going down a prohibited trail. He was attempting to break a record running up and back down the tallest mountain in Wyoming's Teton Range.
During the run, the trail runner got in legal trouble after going down a prohibited trail. The incident happened back in September 2024. Trail runner Michelino Sunseri ran up and down Grand Teton in just 2 hours, 50 minutes and 50 seconds. However, he got in trouble when he went off trail on the way down to avoid some fellow hikers.
Going off-trail in the national park is prohibited due to park officials' concerns about erosion. As a result, police charged him with a misdemeanor for his actions. But apparently, Trump came in clutch for the trail runner. After a year of legal battles, the president offered Sunseri clemency for the misdemeanor.
Trail Runner Case
"Well... the trail trial of the century is officially over," Sunseri posted on Facebook. He celebrated his legal victory.
"In an unbelievable twist that even Hollywood couldn't write, I woke up this morning to find out I've been given a PRESIDENTIAL PARDON from Donald J. Trump — over the Grand Teton FKT and my use of the Old Climber's Trail," he wrote.
"This case was a massive waste of taxpayer money and government energy from the start," Sunseri wrote. "Unfortunately, instead of working with me, the system tried to make an example of me.?"
Prosecutors previously offered the trail runner a deal. They would dismiss the case if he agreed to 60 hours of community service and also education.
"We are thrilled that Michelino's nightmare is over, but we're not done fighting against unconstitutional regulations that give low-level park officials the power to criminalize harmless conduct," Michael Poon, an attorney for Pacific Legal Foundation, which helped in Sunseri's legal defense, said in a statement.
"We are ready to help other Americans who face criminal prosecution for breaking park rules that were illegally created," the statement said.
