Moment Two Henderson Men Damaged Historic Rock Formations At Lake Mead, Gets Indicted For It

The incident caused damages above one thousand dollars

Maryjane

• Published in News
• August 31, 2024

The remarkable rock formations that surround Lake Mead and Mohave narrate the tale of remarkable geologic occurrences. The rock that covers today's arid and barren desert was formerly covered by shallow seas, yet this area has undergone transformations through stretching, tugging, and cutting to become what it is today.

These incidents also created the conditions for the emergence of a river. When this region was a shallow sea more than a billion years ago, the geologic tale of the area around lakes Mead and Mohave began.

Molten rock entered and distorted the sediments from this ancient ocean; part of the rock even rose to the surface as lava flows. The molten rock, sediments, and lava mixture cooled to form the gneiss, schist, and granite that are visible in locations like Saddle Island today, which date back 1.7 billion years.

These are some of the oldest rocks in the lake. The lengthy prologue to the geologic story's first chapter ends with this early history.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal jury in Henderson has indicted two men for allegedly causing damage to historic rock formations around Lake Mead. In the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Wyatt Clifford Fain, 37, and David Guy Cosper, 31, are accused of pushing old rock formations over a cliff edge on April 7, 2024, near Redstone Dunes Trail.

According to the accusation, the incident caused damages above one thousand dollars.

Wyatt Clifford Fain, 37, and David Guy Cosper, 31, pushed ancient rock formations over a cliff edge

An irrevocable damage has been done to the federally protected structures, which are made of sand dunes that date back 140 million years. John Haynes, a spokesman for the recreation area, described the destruction as "appalling."

According to officials, Fain and Cosper are each accused of one count of causing harm and depredation to government property, as well as one count of aiding and abetting.

At the Lake Mead National Recreation Area's Redstone Dunes Trail area, mature males can be seen pushing natural rock formations from the top of a cliff

Following their apprehension by the US Marshals Service, they appeared in court for the first time on Friday. On October 8, 2024, a jury trial has been scheduled, with District Judge Jennifer Dorsey presiding over the proceedings.

If found guilty, each defendant may spend a maximum of ten years behind bars. Stretching across the border between Nevada and Arizona, the expansive recreation area spans 1.5 million acres and features two essential reservoirs, canyon trails, and stunning mountain views.

The Redstone Trail is a very popular area located in Lake Mead National Recreation Area

The park's 6 million annual visitors are mostly drawn to the Lake Mead reservoir for its water activities, but in recent years, the severe drought in the West has caused the lake's water levels to drop sharply, exposing multiple sets of human remains and sunken boats. According to the National Park Service, you should call the NPS Tip Line at 1-888-653-0009 if you witness something unusual at any national park.

You can also submit the tip online by clicking the link here.

Maryjane