2 men accused of damaging rock formations at Lake Mead

(Department of Justice) - A federal grand jury has indicted two Henderson men for allegedly damaging ancient rock formations at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

According to allegations contained in the indictment, on April 7, 2024, Wyatt Fain and Payden Cosper pushed large chunks of ancient rock formations over the edge of a cliff onto the ground below while on or near the Redstone Dunes Trail at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, resulting in damages in excess of $1,000.

Fain and Cosper were each charged with one count of injury and depredation of government property and one count of aiding and abetting. They were arrested by the United States Marshals Service, and made their initial court appearance Friday before United States Magistrate Judge Nancy Koppe.

A jury trial has been scheduled for October 8, 2024. If convicted, the defendants each face up to ten years imprisonment.

The National Park Service investigated this case.