Yosemite National Park 
Sierra Sun Times (file photo) 

August 19, 2022 - FRESNO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment on Thursday against Stefan Niels Weiste Kirkeby, 59, of San Rafael, charging him with domestic violence within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on Aug. 4, 2022, Kirkeby and his wife got into a verbal confrontation that resulted in park visitors having to intervene due to the yelling as well as the threats of harm being made by Kirkeby. The victim reported she was forcibly grabbed by her wrist and both fell to the ground. Kirkeby was threatening to kill her then kill himself during the altercation. The victim sustained bruising, pain to her wrist, and scratches.

This case is the product of an investigation by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laurel J. Montoya is prosecuting the case.

If you have information related to this case, please submit a tip online, call 888-653-0009, or email nps_isb@nps.gov

If convicted, Kirkeby faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: DOJ Release