German tourists cited for firing paintballs in California's Joshua Tree National Park
Each individual now faces a maximum penalty or a $5,000 fine and/or not more than six months in prison, the National Park Service said.
Joshua Tree National Park is home to nearly 800 species of plants
Joshua Tree National Park in California is home to one of America's most unique landscapes with nearly 800 species of plants. FOX Weather correspondent Robert Ray takes you on a tour of the park in the Mojave Desert.
Three park visitors from Germany received federal violation notices for vandalizing, defacing or destroying property in Joshua Tree National Park, park officials announced.
The tourists had fired paintballs at bathrooms, dumpsters and at least 11 signs throughout the park on Aug. 4, leaving behind yellow paintball splatter on their marks.
Each individual now faces a maximum penalty or a $5,000 fine and/or not more than six months in prison, the National Park Service said.
A sign defaced with yellow paintball paint in Joshua Tree National Park.
(National Park Service / FOX Weather)
The group was caught when a park ranger noticed fresh yellow paintball splatter on structures and signs in the Jumbo Rocks Campground of Joshua Tree.
NPS said law enforcement rangers then responded to further investigate the matter.
The authorities ended up finding a slingshot inside of a vehicle that was in plain sight.
CRUISIN' ACROSS AMERICA: JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
Upon this discovery, the three visitors confessed to firing the paintballs. Park officials said they used a paintball marker, also known as a compressed paintball gun, along with slingshots the night prior.
Joshua Trees at Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.
(NPS / Brad Sutton / FOX Weather)
Park rangers found these items, along with paintballs and other related equipment, inside the vehicle and used them as evidence.
According to the NPS, the park’s maintenance staff is currently cleaning up the paintball markings at the park.