Nine young adults have been charged with second-degree trespassing in connection with an incident in which a cave near Jane was vandalized.
The Missouri Bat Census discovered the damage Nov. 12, when Executive Director Kirsten Alvey-Mudd entered the cave to monitor pre-hibernating bats. She found a large amount of spray paint graffiti and a great deal of litter. After posting photos and information on the organization's Facebook page, Alvey-Mudd learned from several who came forward that it was a group of people in their 20s who held a series of parties in the cave and caused the damage.
The cave, of which Alvey-Mudd declined to give the exact location, is home to a wide variety of endangered and non-endangered wildlife, including two species of endangered bats and two species of salamanders that are Missouri state species of concern. Cleanup of the cave will be a long process because it can only be done when the various species of bats are not hibernating, she said.
Charged with second-degree trespassing are Jordan Randolf, Brian K. Rusher, Miranda N. Hatchel, Johnathon D. Wellesley, Kylie K. Meadors, James A. Hulsey, Tre Anthony Gillean, Tre M. Bridges and Sydney R. Piazza.
Prosecuting attorney Bill Dobbs said second-degree trespassing is a misdemeanor charge. He noted the property was not posted, which allowed for a less-severe charge. He will recommend a fine and quite possibly some community service, he said. The young adults will appear in Associate Circuit Court of the 40th Circuit McDonald County on Feb. 22.
"I certainly think it's a serious matter, and I hate to see a natural resource like that defaced," Dobbs said. "It's terribly unfortunate, and I now know the parties that own it have it properly posted. That would give us a little more traction if we had a repeat incident."
Alvey-Mudd said that while her organization ultimately hopes the vandalized site is cleaned up, they also hope for the responsible parties to learn a lesson by taking part in cleaning up as well as learning about caves and nature.
"Among the things that will happen to these guys in the legal system, we're asking for them to have to complete some cave-education and nature-education types of programs. We don't want anyone's life to be ruined (but) there's an environment of entitlement that these folks can do whatever they want wherever they want to whoever they want. These are things that are being fostered within their peer groups. Somehow we've got to break the cycle, or there's not going to be much left for our grandchildren in the end."
She noted there has been some ongoing trespassing in caves, and two groups have been arrested for trespassing since the incident with the graffiti and litter. She reminded the public that all caves are either on private property or owned by the government, and entering without permission is trespassing.
"Unless you have talked to the owner, don't enter a cave without permission," she said. She also noted she can arrange the proper permission for anyone who wants to go caving.
Anyone interested in doing cave survey work may email Alvey-Mudd at [email protected].
General News on 02/04/2016