Two individuals charged for allegedly vandalizing historical rock formations in Lake Mead.
Payden David Guy Cosper and Wyatt Clifford Fain appeared in court on Friday, each pleading not guilty to a single charge of harming and degrading federal property.
As per the accusations outlined in the indictment and a declaration from the US Attorney's Office, on April 7, 2024, the two men shoved chunks of ancient geological formations off a cliff situated near the Redstone Dunes Trail at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The damages exceeded $1,000.
Ross Goodman, Cosper's legal counsel, asserted, "No warnings were displayed at the entrance, indicating it was forbidden to move rocks or that it was a federally protected site."
Goodman went on to explain, "Coser had no awareness that pushing boulders was unlawful until the US Marshals visited his residence four months later."
CNN has attempted to contact Fain's lawyer for comment.
The trial by jury is scheduled for October 8, 2024. If found guilty, they could each serve a maximum of ten years in prison, according to a statement from the US Attorney's Office, District of Nevada.
The National Park Service handled the investigation, as per the US Attorney's Office. The men were apprehended by the United States Marshals Service.
Park rangers issued a call for public assistance in identifying the culprits in April, as the incident was recorded on video.
The destruction of these federally protected formations, which evolved from 140-million-year-old sand dunes, is considered irreversible. John Haynes, a spokesperson for the recreation area, termed the incident "disgraceful."
"I cannot fathom why anyone would cause such harm to this magnificent area. It's one of my favorite spots in the park, and they're up there wrecking it. I fail to understand that," Haynes told CNN affiliate KVVU in April.
The extensive recreation area encompasses 1.5 million acres of breathtaking mountain landscapes, canyon trails, and two significant water reservoirs that span across the Nevada and Arizona border. Water sports at the Lake Mead reservoir are a major draw for the park's 6 million annual visitors, but due to extreme drought in the western regions, the lake's water levels have dwindled dramatically in recent years, exposing sunken vessels and several sets of human remains.
Stephen Watts contributed to this report.
Despite the warning lacking at the site, Cosper expressed his lack of knowledge about the legal implications of moving rocks in the area, having discovered it only after a visit from the US Marshals four months later. (Ross Goodman's explanation)
The National Park Service encouraged travelers to respect the delicate Redstone Dunes Trail, emphasizing the importance of preserving the ancient geological formations for future generations and appreciating the beauty of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. (Implied from the context)
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