Updated: 6/13/2016 9:30 PM MST
Casey Nocket has been sentenced for her vandalism spree. CLICK HERE for a full report.
Updated: 10/30/2014 12:00 PM MST
Latest NPS Press Release: Identifies Nocket as suspect.
Updated: 10/27/2014 4:00 PM MST
Latest article covering NPS response and investigation: “Wow!” – NPS Spokeswoman Remarks on National Park Service Vandalism Investigation.
Updated: 10/25/2014 4:40 PM MST
There is a rumor floating around that Casey Nocket has turned herself in. That is false. There is not a warrant for her arrest thus she does not have to turn herself in. What she is doing is fully cooperating with investigators and showing remorse. We spoke with a family member again this afternoon and have been told there is a meeting scheduled for Tuesday. Until then, personal threats, vulgarities and posting of personal information should stop… Posting her address or threatening bodily harm is not being a concerned citizen, it is not contributing to the debate, it is however, extremely dangerous. We are a nation of laws, it is time to let the justice system do its work.
Original Article: 10/24/2014 10:00 PM MST
Over the last few days, social media has been abuzz over the graffiti antics of Creepytings, aka Casey Nocket. Nocket branded some of our nation’s most sacred spots in the name of “art” and posted about it on social media. Today, TrailMob.com spoke exclusively at length with a family member.
Casey Schreiner broke the story on his blog the modernhiker.com. Since then, with the help of redditors and an outcry on other social media outlets, the story has been picked up by virtually every national media outlet. While most of the larger media outlets have not directly named Nocket, social media certainly has not shown such restraint. Search #CaseyNocket on twitter and you are greeted with hundreds if not thousands of tweets on the subject. The phrase “Don’t be a #CaseyNocket” has become a battle cry for those upset with her actions. And rightfully so, there is no doubt about it: the 21 year old Casey Nocket pulled a bone-headed stunt while out on an adventure that many can only dream of doing. There is no way to play devil’s advocate on the subject, she is in the wrong. Our national parks exist to “preserve and protect our nation’s natural, cultural and historic heritage for both current and future generations.”
The story demonstrates the power social media has to mobilize thousands quickly. That said, with power comes a responsibility for civility, and of the many different examples floating around the twittersphere, some are good, but some are in fact awful. Right now there is a petition to the White House stating: “Please don’t allow her to receive a slap. Please pursue the most serious of charges for these offenses.” Charges should and most certainly will be brought, but in accordance with the law and within the justice system:
36 CFR 2.31 – Trespassing, tampering and vandalism
(3) Vandalism. Destroying, injuring, defacing, or damaging property or real property
Federal crimes generally don’t come with slaps on the wrist. According to the recent National Park Service Press Release, they are investigating “vandalism in at least 10 national parks in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah.” It’s not clear if Nocket is responsible for all ten of these incidents, but she is most certainly responsible for many and thus should be punished accordingly.
It’s the other side of this story that has caught our attention. While activism is engrained in our society, when does it go too far? Threats calling for physical violence are over the top and uncalled for. She is in the wrong, but violence is most certainly not the answer. We have all seen the horror stories on the news of what can happen if too much personal information is leaked online. To be clear, this is not a defense of her actions, but a legitimate concern for a misguided youth’s safety.
Today we spoke with a relative of Nocket, who has requested that she not be named. It became clear at the beginning of the first conversation that this person was legitimately concerned for a family member’s safety. While we were still introducing ourselves, that person’s voice made clear a distinct fear. We spoke for awhile about Casey’s actions, here in plain language is what we found out:
1) She didn’t go into hiding or run, she contacted the Park Service investigators and is fully cooperating;
2) She knows she did a horrible thing and is incredibly remorseful;
3) She is aware of the seriousness of her crimes and is ready to face the music; and
4) There are now people pretending to be her online, Tumblr in particular. All of her social media accounts have been deleted.
Perhaps there is a silver lining to all of this, we can hope this will discourage copycats from pursuing such offenses, and perhaps highlight to the Federal government that the National Park Service’s 12 billion dollar backlog is ridiculous. Think more rangers, more maintenance, more trail patrols. Because while outcry for Nocket’s actions are fresh and loud right now, soon it will disappear just like her paintings on the rock, albeit with a little rubbing alcohol and a wash cloth. It is our hope her actions can ultimately bring good and maybe a little more money to America’s Worst-Funded Best-Idea.
