A pair of tourists accused of damaging a ‘beautiful’ rock formation at a national park have been formally charged.
In April, a video surfaced showing two tourists allegedly ‘destroying’ a rock formation at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, located in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona.
A Facebook post by the Lake Mead National Recreation Area – National Park Service (NPS) at the time stated: “US park rangers at Lake Mead National Recreation Area are seeking information from the public to identify two vandalism suspects seen here.”
“In a now viral video said to be recorded on the evening of Sunday, April 7, 2024, two adult males are seen toppling natural rock formations at the Redstone Dunes Trail.”
“Information from visitors is often very helpful to investigators. If you were on the Redstone Dunes Trail on the evening of Sunday, April 7, 2024, or if you have information that could help identify the suspects, please submit a tip.”
Public Information Officer John Haynes from Lake Mead National Recreation Area expressed that the incident ‘feels like a personal attack in a way’, adding that the site is ‘one of [his] favorite places in the park’.
“And they’re up there just destroying it. I don’t understand that,” he stated. “It’s pretty appalling, it is kind of disgusting.”
On Friday, August 23, Payden David Guy Cosper, 31, and Wyatt Clifford Fain, 37, pleaded not guilty to one count of injury and depredation of government property.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, the two men ‘pushed large chunks of ancient rock formations over the edge of a cliff onto the ground below’.
Law enforcement reports that the damage amounted to more than $1,000.
Ross Goodman, representing Cosper, argued: “There were no signs posted at the entrance prohibiting pushing rocks or that it was a federally a protected site.”
Speaking to CNN, Goodman added: “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.”
Brian Pugh, Fain’s attorney, commented: “The justice system presumes that all accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise in a court of law. This applies to Mr. Fain.”
The trial date for Cosper and Fain is set for October 8, 2024, where their fate will be determined.
If found guilty, Cosper and Fain could face up to ten years in prison, according to the US Attorney’s Office.