DOJ 4-24-19
JACKSON BURLEY COOMBS, 30, was sentenced on April 24, 2019 to seventy-eight months in federal prison for assaulting two tourists in Yellowstone National Park in July of 2018. United States District Court Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal imposed the sentence after Coombs pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of simple assault.
Coombs was arrested by U.S. Park Rangers after a report of an assault in progress at the Xanterra Cabin Community Bathrooms in Yellowstone National Park. Coombs was hiding in a stall in the women’s bathroom and after a woman entered her stall, he banged on her door until it opened after having wrapped his face in toilet paper. He then began to punch the female victim in the face and head, at one point grabbing her by the jaw. She was able to yell for help and her traveling companion entered the bathroom to help her. Upon entering, he was also assaulted by Coombs who used bear spray on both victims. A passerby also entered the bathroom to help subdue the suspect until Park Rangers arrived. The female victim suffered a concussion as well as many bruises and cuts to her face.
After Coombs was sentenced, the United States Attorney for Wyoming, Mark A. Klaassen, stated, “The nature and circumstances of the unprovoked assault in this case are truly appalling. I am sorry for the pain and emotional distress the victim of this senseless attack has had to endure, and thankful for the courage of those who heard the commotion and took action to subdue Coombs before he could inflict any further harm. I also appreciate our law enforcement partners in responding to the scene and assisting my office in bringing this case to justice.”
Upon completion of his prison sentence Coombs will be on supervised release for thirty-six months and was ordered to pay $2,199.00 in restitution and a $125.00 special assessment.