Nevada Man Arrested for Climbing Las Vegas Sphere
A Nevada man found himself in police custody after scaling to the top of the iconic Las Vegas Sphere on Wednesday, according to 3 News.
The daring climber, later identified as 24-year-old Maison Des Champs, made his ascent on the array of LED nodes that cover the venue.
Authorities swiftly took him into custody, urging the public to avoid the area.
Des Champs, known as an "urban climber," has gained notoriety for scaling tall buildings across the US to raise awareness and funds for causes, notably protesting abortion.
His arrest resulted in multiple charges, including Destroying Property of Another, Greater than $5000, and Conspiracy to Destroy Private Property.
He is now behind bars at the Clark County Detention Center.
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Protest or Publicity Stunt? Climber's Controversial Motive Unveiled
The Nevada man, who goes by the moniker "Pro-Life Spiderman" on Instagram, posted a video of his Las Vegas Sphere climb on Facebook, claiming it was a fundraising effort for a homeless pregnant woman, per Fox News.
His social media presence indicates a pattern of climbing skyscrapers to support women in crisis pregnancies.
LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill addressed the incident during a Super Bowl safety press conference, acknowledging the challenges of handling such situations.
Las Vegas is gearing up to host Super Bowl LVIII in a few days, and authorities are ensuring heightened security measures.
"We know that people are going to test us. We know people are going to try things," Sheriff McMahill stated.
Despite the incident, a spokesperson for Sphere Entertainment expressed gratitude to local authorities and confirmed that those involved are in custody.
"We are grateful to the local authorities for their support in this matter," a spokesperson said in a statement.
"The individuals involved are currently in the custody of LVMPD," the statement added.
Earlier in the day, Des Champs, teh Nevada man, posted a photo on Instagram featuring a banner reading "abortion is murder" and tagged the NFL's official account, adding a layer of controversy to his actions.
A Climber with a Cause: Past Incidents and Legal Consequences
Des Champs, who abstains from using ropes or harnesses in his climbs, has a history of engaging in high-profile protests, the Las Vegas Review-Journal noted.
Tim Clement, Nevada man's friend, revealed that Des Champs had meticulously planned the Las Vegas Sphere climb over the past month.
Aware of potential legal repercussions, Clement explained that the usual procedure involves detention, a visit to the police station, and subsequent release.
The Nevada man, who called himself "Pro-Life Spiderman" faced legal consequences in 2021 for scaling the Aria in protest of COVID-related mandates, resulting in two misdemeanor counts.
Despite the potential risks during a busy Super Bowl week, Clement argued that the climb would draw attention to the critical issue of abortion, making it a timely and impactful statement.
"We got half a million people coming into Las Vegas for one purpose," he said. "What a better way to bring focus on the biggest issue of our time, child sacrifice that's going on in our backyard."
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Man climbs Las Vegas Sphere in 'publicity stunt,' officials say - From LiveNOW from FOX
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