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Two Men Convicted for Damaging 140-Million-Year-Old Rock Formations at Lake Mead

Wyatt Clifford Fain and Payden David Guy Cosper face sentencing in July after being found guilty of vandalizing ancient sandstone formations in a deliberate act of destruction.

File photo. A rock formation at a picnic area inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada.
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The National Park Service shared a screen capture of a video showing two men toppling ancient rock formations at Lake Mead National Recreation Area on April 7, 2024.
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Overview

  • A federal jury convicted Fain and Cosper of injury and depredation of government property for pushing ancient rock formations over a cliff at Lake Mead in April 2024.
  • The sandstone formations, originating from desert dunes 140 million years ago, hold significant historical and environmental value.
  • Prosecutors presented evidence that the act was intentional, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Skyler Pearson describing it as a 'willful effort.'
  • The men face up to one year in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both, with sentencing set for July 8, 2025.
  • The National Park Service and federal prosecutors emphasized the importance of protecting nationally treasured sites from acts of vandalism.