Vanessa Hudgens and boyfriend Austin Butler are under investigation for carving their names and a heart in one of Arizona’s rock formations on Valentine’s Day.
Vanessa Hudgens & Austin Butler spark a criminal investigation after their recent vacation: https://t.co/y57Y67OdMs pic.twitter.com/F227lGCmuu
— E! Online (@eonline) February 17, 2016
Hudgens and Butler spent their Valentine’s Day vacation at the park in Sedona, Arizona, with the actress posting Instagram photos of their weekend getaway. In one of the photos, a carving on a red rock bearing their names and a heart, caught the attention of the Coconino National Forest management. Hudgens later on deleted the controversial photo.
Vanessa Hudgens under investigation for carving love into federally protected rock https://t.co/nA80ly6nMS pic.twitter.com/WGn1vLygeN
— The AV Club (@TheAVClub) February 17, 2016
“This incident is currently under investigation, so there is not much we can share specifically,” Brady Smith of the U.S. Forest Service told People. “However, we can say that the issue of people carving their names and other things in rocks in the Sedona and surrounding area is always a challenge we face and try to educate people about. We have found that when one person carves something, it encourages others to carve.”
Smith explained that carving of any kind is prohibited under Title 36 of CFR 261.9 (a) Damaging any natural feature or other property of the United States. Hudgens and Butler could pay a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or face six months imprisonment. Smith added that the department will continue to investigate their case and find witnesses.
Vanessa Hudgens is under investigation for defacing Arizona’s protected red rocks https://t.co/0tlMHChrSH
— TIME.com (@TIME) February 17, 2016
However, it is still unknown whether the authorities have found a heart carving similar to the one Vanessa Hudgens posted on Instagram. Smith also admitted that he does not know if there were any signs in the area to inform people of the law.
The Valentine’s Day trip came after the actress earned tons of praises for her performance as Betty Rizo on Grease Live! Vanessa Hudgens performed after her father Greg died of cancer the day before the show. She previously said she would perform “in his honor,” according to People.
How Vanessa Hudgens powered through #GreaseLive after her dad’s death: https://t.co/IO5h5Yo68Y pic.twitter.com/Er2NG80zqb
— Teen Vogue (@TeenVogue) February 8, 2016