A federal magistrate has fined a member of the Hare Krishna sect $100 for posing as a park ranger while distributing religious literature in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Sam Coffin, 24 of Pigeon Forge, was convicted two weeks ago on charges of impersonating a park ranger. Coffin, wearing a pith helmet, khaki trousers and work shoes, was arrested August 27 after a tourist filed a complaint with park officials. The tourist said Coffin approached him about buying a book on American Indians for $4. The tourist bought the book, which was about the Krishna religion.
