Man Gets 30 Days In Jail For Catching Rain Water

Gary Harrington of Medford, Oregon has been convicted of collecting rainwater and snow runoff on his rural property. Harrington surrendered to authorities earlier today and will begin serving his 30-day jail sentence.

The Oregon Water Resources Department, which charged Harrington with nine misdemeanor counts, claimed that the farmer 'repeatedly violated' the state’s water use law by 'diverting water from streams running into the Big Butte River.'

But Harrington says he is not diverting the state's water -- merely collecting rainwater and snow melt into troughs - what the state called illegal reservoirs -  on his own property.

Several people held signs that showed support for Harrington as he was taken to jail. Said Harrington, 'I’m sacrificing my liberty so we can stand up as a country and stand for our liberty, They’ve just gotten to be big bullies and if you just lay over and die and give up, that just makes them bigger bullies.'