2 charged with spray-painting ancient rock art in Nevada

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Two Nevada men have been indicted on charges of vandalizing an archaeological site after U.S. prosecutors say the pair spray-painted rock formations in a national monument that features petroglyphs.

Daniel Plata and Jonathan Pavon, both 25 and from Elko, are charged with conspiracy, destruction of government property and unauthorized damage or alteration or defacement of archaeological resources, U.S. Attorney Nicholas Trutanich's office said Monday.

Prosecutors say the men posted a video on Pavon's Instagram account in September 2019 showing Plata vandalizing a rest stop in White Pine County, including spray-painting a building, and spray-painting property in the towns of McGill and Lund.

The men also drove into the White River Narrows Archaeological District within Basin and Range National Monument, where Pavon acted as a lookout as Plata spray painted, according to a criminal indictment.

The White River Narrows is a winding canyon that's home to one of the largest concentrations of prehistoric rock art in eastern Nevada, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management.

The agency did not immediately return a message seeking details about the extent of the damage to the rock art.

Plata and Pavon made initial court appearances on March 6, prosecutors said.

The men do not yet have listed attorneys to comment on their behalf or publicly listed phone numbers where they could be reached for comment.