2 men charged after damaging 140-million-year-old rock formations at Lake Mead, feds say

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KVVU/Gray News) - Two men are accused of damaging natural rock formations estimated to be 140 million years old at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Authorities said 37-year-old Wyatt Clifford Fain and 31-year-old Payden David Guy Cosper pushed large chunks of ancient rock formations on April 7 over the edge of a cliff.

This resulted in damages over $1,000, KVVU reported.

Fain and Cosper were each charged with one count of injury and depredation of government property and one count of aiding and abetting.

A jury trial has been scheduled for Oct. 8 before United States District Judge Jennifer Dorsey.

The United States Marshals Service arrested them, and they made their initial court appearance Friday.

If convicted, they could each face up to ten years in prison.

According to NPS, Lake Mead is the country’s “first and largest national recreation area and one of the most visited national parks in the United States.”

If you see something suspicious in any National Park location, or if you have information that could aid an investigation, call the NPS-wide Tip Line at 1-888-653-0009 or submit a tip online at https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/submit-a-tip.htm.