U.S.

Ex-Boy Scout Leaders Charged For Pushing Over Ancient Rock

Two Utah men are facing jail time after toppling over a 170-million-year-old rock formation at a national park.

Ex-Boy Scout Leaders Charged For Pushing Over Ancient Rock
Wikimedia Commons / Nikater
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Two former Boy Scout leaders in Utah could be facing jail time after they toppled a 170-million-year-old rock formation at Goblin Valley State Park and recorded it. 

Utah's KSL-TV reports prosecutors have filed charges against the two men, and they are ordered to appear in court in March. It took them 14 seconds to knock down the pillar. 

Glenn Taylor, the one who pushed the rock, was charged with one count of felony criminal mischief. And David Hall, the camera man, is facing one count of felony aiding and assisting in criminal mischief. (Via CNN)

 The incident happened back in October, and the men were almost immediately stripped of their duties. (Via Utah State Parks

The Utah National Parks Council released a statement saying, "After reviewing this matter with the local chartered organization, these men have been removed from their leadership positions and are no longer members of the BSA." 

NBC spoke with the two men, and they claim they toppled the rock out a concern for safety. 

"The first thing that we say after the rocks on the ground is 'a little kid right here could have been killed by this rock falling on them.' It's all about saving lives. " 

But park officials call the behavior "heartbreaking." If they are found guilty, the pair could face up to five years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.