VAN BUREN, Mo. – On May 16, Leon Barnes, 49, pled guilty to felony counts of making a materially false statement to a federal law enforcement officer and resisting arrest during an interaction with park rangers at Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2021, National Park Service law enforcement rangers were investigating and clearing an illegal campsite near the Pulltite section of the park when they were approached by Leon Barnes, who said some of the items belonged to him.
When Barnes was asked for identification he provided law enforcement rangers with a fictitious name, date of birth, and social security number.
