Keystone Man Indicted for Damaging Property at Mt. Rushmore

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Keystone man was indicted by a federal grand jury for damaging property belonging to the National Park Service at Mount Rushmore.

Jared Rutherford, age 27, was indicted on November 19, 2012, for Destruction of Government Property. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on November 20, 2012, and pled not guilty to the indictment. The maximum penalty upon conviction is 10 years' imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. The charge is merely an accusation, and Rutherford is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the National Park Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Venhuizen is prosecuting the case. Rutherford was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not yet been set.