(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Three people were arrested and a missing person was located during an operation to clear illegal encampments along the Greenway Trail near E. Las Vegas Street.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), the operation was in response to a surge in complaints about illegal camping. Deputies from the Patrol Division, Patrol Support Services Section, and Reserve Deputies worked together to carry out the operation.

Four people were cited for trespassing on private property, and three others received citations under an El Paso County Ordinance for unauthorized camping on public property. EPSO said deputies also located an individual who had been reported missing.

In addition, three arrests were made on outstanding warrants:

40-year-old Daniel Scheuermann was arrested for failing to comply with probation on a Domestic Violence Felony Menacing charge.

23-year-old Leticia Gutierrez was taken into custody for escape from the Department of Corrections (parole violation), stemming from a First Degree Criminal Trespass charge.

62-year-old Yancey Buckalew was arrested for multiple failure-to-appear warrants related to driving under the influence and driving with a revoked license.

“These encampments pose a serious threat to our community, putting our trails, rivers, and public spaces at risk. They create a heightened fire danger and encourage increased criminal activity in the area,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “As this operation proves, these spots are often exploited by criminals trying to avoid accountability. My office will continue pushing forward with these critical efforts to protect our residents, maintain public safety, and ensure criminal behavior does not go unchecked.”