California man who squatted at Yosemite National Park vacation home gets over 5 years in prison

A California man who broke into a vacation home in Yosemite National Park and lived there for months was sentenced to more than five years in prison for felony firearm charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. 

Devin Michael Cuellar, 29, of Oakhurst, California, was sentenced Monday to five years and three months in prison for being a felon in possession of a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition while squatting on private property in Yosemite National Park, the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of California announced. The Central Valley man plead guilty to the firearm charges in May.

In 2021, Cuellar broke into a Wawona home on Koon Hollar Road and lived there for several months without permission from the owner, according to court documents. The home is located within Yosemite National Park.

Cuellar also stole items from the home and "trashed" the place, according to investigators. A sawed-off shotgun and ammunition, which did not belong to the homeowner, were found in the home.

"The entire house was cluttered and soiled. The bathtub had been left partially filled with water and the toilet contained large clumps of hair," prosecutors said in court documents.

Cuellar, who was previously convicted of carjacking and possessing controlled substances with intention to sell, is prohibited from owning firearms and ammunition, federal officials said.

Homeowner found tortillas labeled with suspect's name

During the summer of 2021, prosecutors said Cuellar squatted at the residence for several months, trashing the place and stealing a toolbox, flat screen TV, wrought iron candle holders and other items. Officials said items reported stolen by other residents in Wawona included a set of golf clubs, cleaning supplies, and a gasoline can, were found in the home.

On Aug. 30, 2021, the owner arrived at her vacation home and found it unlocked, according to court documents. She said she found furniture, clothing, tools and drug paraphernalia thrown throughout the house and yard. There was also food in the kitchen, used dishes, and garbage.

Nearly a week later, Yosemite National Park Rangers executed a search warrant on the property. Inside the home, officials found a letter addressed to Cuellar, according to court documents. In the refrigerator, investigators found a bottle of coffee creamer, a tub of butter and two packages of tortillas labeled "Devin."

Investigators also found toilet tissue, paper towels, and other bathroom cleaning supplies taken from the Wawona Hotel.

Cuellar was arrested on Nov. 23, 2021, by a California State Parole agent for violating his parole release conditions, according to court documents. In December 2022, prosecutors indicted Cuellar for six counts related to the Yosemite home break-in, including being a "drug addict" in possession of arms, destruction of property, receiving stolen property, and for making a false statement to Yosemite National Park rangers.

Cuellar, who was unhoused at the time of his arrest, was an unlawful user of methamphetamine and heroin, prosecutors said.

Madera County Sheriff's Department, along with state and federal law enforcement officers arrested Cuellar and helped with the investigation

History involving squatters at national parks

There's a long history of people outstaying their welcome in Yosemite and national parks across the country.

One of the most memorable cases involved was Chongo Chuck, a man who lived at in Yosemite for about a decade before he was evicted in 2005, according to the New York Times.

Authorities had been suspicious that he had been living unlawfully at Yosemite. He did "little to disguise his residence. He viewed Yosemite as his rightful home," the Times reported.

In November 2021, officials announced that a man in Jackson, Wyoming, was prosecuted for long-term camping at the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. His campsite had several trailers and cars, officials said.

“Permanent camping creates a variety of issues for forest officials who seek to balance public access and resource conservation,” the Forest Service said in a release. “Disposal of waste, trash and other environmental concerns associated with more permanent residences affects all public land users.”

Preserving nature:Iconic Haena State Park cracked down on illegal campers.