The Department of Justice says two Elko men are charged with vandalizing several archaeological sites across White Pine County last year. Â
The DOJ says a federal grand jury indicted Daniel Plata and Jonathan Pavon, both 25, with one count of conspiracy, one count of destruction of government property, and one count of unauthorized damage, alteration or defacement of archaeological resources.
Both men made their initial court appearance on March 6th in Reno.
According to allegations contained in the indictment, on September 19, 2019, Pavon posted a video on his Instagram page showing Plata vandalizing: (a) property near the Schelbourne rest stop in White Pine County, Nevada; (b) property in McGill and Lund, Nevada; and (c) rock formations within the White River Narrows Archeological District in the Basin and Range National Monument in Lincoln and Nye counties. The indictment alleges that Pavon acted as a lookout while Plata spray-painted on rock formations that contained petroglyphs.
To report natural resources crimes on BLM-managed public lands, call the BLM tip line at (833) 660-5771 or email TRFOtipline@blm.gov.
(BLM, DOJ contributed to this report.)
