August 26th 2024.
Two men from Nevada have been accused of damaging ancient rock formations at Lake Mead, a popular destination in the southwestern United States. The two men, Payden David Guy Cosper and Wyatt Clifford Fain, were recently arraigned and both pleaded not guilty to the charge of injuring and damaging government property.
According to the indictment and a statement from the US Attorney's Office, the incident occurred on April 7, 2024 when the men allegedly pushed chunks of ancient rock over a cliff near the Redstone Dunes Trail at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The damage caused amounted to over US $1,000. Ross Goodman, an attorney representing Cosper, stated that there were no signs at the entrance prohibiting this type of behavior and that his client was not aware that it was a federally protected site.
Goodman further explained that Cosper only became aware of the seriousness of his actions when US Marshals showed up at his house four months later. Similarly, Brian Pugh, the attorney representing Fain, stated that in the eyes of the justice system, his client is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
A jury trial is scheduled for October 8, 2024, and if convicted, the defendants could face up to 10 years in prison, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada. The National Park Service conducted the investigation, and the suspects were arrested by the United States Marshals Service.
In April, park rangers asked for the public's assistance in identifying the suspects after the incident was captured on video. The damage caused to these ancient rock formations, which have been shaped over millions of years, is irreversible. John Haynes, a spokesperson for the recreation area, described the destruction as "appalling."
He questioned why anyone would want to harm such a beautiful and beloved area, stating that it is one of his favorite places in the park. The recreation area spans over 600,000 hectares and offers stunning views of mountains, canyon trails, and two important reservoirs that extend into both Nevada and Arizona. The Lake Mead reservoir is a popular spot for water sports and draws in approximately 6 million visitors each year. However, due to extreme drought in the West, the water levels in the lake have significantly decreased in recent years, revealing sunken boats and human remains.
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