Lake Mead Vandalism: Two Men Indicted for Destroying 140-Million-Year-Old Rock Formations

LAS VEGAS KLAS — Two Nevada men are facing charges after allegedly damaging ancient rock formations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.

On April 7, the men were caught on camera pushing large pieces of rock off a cliff near the Redstone Dunes Trail at Lake Mead. A video of the incident went viral, and the National Park Service shared a screenshot to seek help in identifying the suspects.

The rock formations, now hard sandstone, were originally loose sand dunes 140 million years ago. Over millions of years, geological forces shaped these dunes into the red rocks visible today. The damages caused were valued at over $1,000.

A federal grand jury has indicted Wyatt Clifford Fain, 37, and Payden David Guy Cosper, 31, on charges of injuring government property and aiding and abetting. Both men were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service and made their first court appearance on Friday. A jury trial is set for October. If convicted, they could each face up to 10 years in prison.

The National Park Service reminded visitors to follow park laws and regulations to protect these treasured natural and cultural resources for future generations.

In a related case, another Nevada resident was sentenced to six months in prison last year for defacing a national monument. He broke a petroglyph panel at Gold Butte National Monument, a site important to the Moapa Band of Paiutes and other indigenous groups. His actions violated the Archaeological Resources Protection Act.

 

 

 

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