Ariz. activist accused of leaving water in desert for immigrants agrees to community service

AZ activist agrees to community service, not jail

GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. — An activist accused of leaving water jugs in the desert for immigrants has decided to complete 300 hours of community service rather than go to jail.

Twenty-eight-year-old Walt Staton had vowed not to comply with his sentence for leaving the water on a southern Arizona wildlife preserve last year.

He was convicted of littering in June after he was cited last December by a Fish and Wildlife agent.

The area is known as a popular route for illegal immigrants.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Guerin gave Staton until Monday’s evidentiary hearing to think about his decision or face 25 days in jail.

Information from: Green Valley News, www.gvnews.com