Teenager nicknamed ‘Pee Wee’ faces federal charges in tagging
A teenager charged with tagging ancient artwork with graffiti at the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area will be taken to federal court.
Las Vegas police arrested a 17-year-old known by the nickname "Pee Wee" in December. Because of his age, Pee Wee was charged as a juvenile under the state's anti-graffiti law and his name was not released.
At the time, federal authorities said he might be charged under the U.S. Archaeological Resources Protection Act, a felony that carries a penalty of up to $100,000 and five years in prison.
During a hearing in juvenile court Friday, county prosecutors officially dropped the state case and the teen was taken into federal custody, District Attorney David Roger said.
Federal authorities took over the prosecution because of the "substantial punishment" the federal law allows, he said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment for this story.
Police said Pee Wee was a member of the NHC tagging crew, vandals who paint graffiti together around Southern Nevada. NHC has several meanings, including Nasty Habits Crew, police said.
The graffiti at Red Rock Canyon was discovered by hikers in mid-November. It included the street names "PWE," "RODO" and "64C."
The defaced rock art panels on Aztec sandstone slabs and walls contain pictographs, or painted symbols, the Bureau of Land Management estimates are 1,000 years old. One slab has a petroglyph, or stone etching, that might be older.
BLM officials said the cost of restoring the site would be at least $10,000.
Las Vegas police Detective Scott Black said Friday that the investigation led to the arrests or pending arrests of about 10 other members of the NHC tagging crew for graffiti left elsewhere around the valley.
Contact reporter Brian Haynes at bhaynes@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0281.
