Two Men Indicted for Damaging Lake Mead Rocks

Two men from Henderson, Nevada, Wyatt Clifford Fain and Payden David Guy Cosper, have been indicted for allegedly damaging ancient rock formations estimated to be 140 million years old at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The incident, which occurred on April 7, 2024, involved pushing large boulders over the edge of a cliff, resulting in damages exceeding $1,000. Both men face charges of injury and depredation of government property and aiding and abetting, with potential sentences of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. They pleaded not guilty during their initial court appearance and were released on personal recognizance bonds. The trial is set for October 8, 2024. The National Park Service, which investigated the case, had initially sought public help to identify the suspects captured in a video of the incident.