Authorities in Nevada asked the public for help finding two men seen on video damaging ancient rock formations at Lake Mead.
The video shows the two men shoving sandstone chunks over the edge of an outcropping as someone else screams. Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials say the incident took place near the Redstone Dune Trail on the north side of the lake. Park officials said the damage is irreparable.
John Haynes, a public information officer for the recreation area, told KVVU-TV of Las Vegas about the potentially heavy consequences to come for the two men.
"Destruction like this at federally protected sites can result in felony charges that come along with potential fines and jail time," Haynes said. "It’s one of my favorite places in the park, and they’re up there just destroying it. I don’t understand that."…….
CNN —
Two Henderson, Nevada, men have been indicted and are set to face trial for allegedly damaging ancient rock formations at Lake Mead.
Payden David Guy Cosper and Wyatt Clifford Fain were arraigned on Friday and both men pleaded not guilty to one count of injury and depredation of government property.
According to allegations in the indictment and a statement from the US Attorney’s Office, on April 7, 2024, the men pushed chunks of ancient rock formations over the edge of a cliff near the Redstone Dunes Trail at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, causing damage in excess of $1,000.
“There were no signs posted at the entrance prohibiting pushing rocks or that it was a federally a protected site,” said Ross Goodman, an attorney representing Cosper.
“Mr. Cosper did not have any knowledge that pushing a boulder was unlawful until the US Marshalls showed up [at] his house four months later,” Goodman said in a statement to CNN.…….