"High School Musical" Star Vanessa Hudgens Fined $1000 For Defacing Federally Protected Rock; Might Face 6 Months Jail Time

"High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens has been fined $1000 in restitution for carving a heart bearing her and her current boyfriend's name into a federally protected red rock wall during their Valentines trip in Sedona, Arizona. 

According to Page Six, "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens posted an Instagram photo during Valentine day, along with other photos of the couple in the towering red rocks that drew their fans to travel to Northern, Arizona. The offending post led her to a misdemeanor count of defacing the natural feature of the Bell Rock in Sedona, Arizona. The said photo showed a carved heart with the writings Austin + Vanessa on it.

Hudgens, 27, and Butler, 24, could have faced a fine of $5000 and punishable by up to 6 months jail time for damaging a natural feature. However, the actress paid $1000 in restitution instead.

The fine comes along with a punishment of participating in a volunteer group called "Friends of the Forest" to restore the rock wall by scrubbing and sanding the protected rock. The arrangement is approved by a federal magistrate in Flagstaff on April 19 however, this was not publicize, Mashable has learned.

Hudgens' celebrity status played a big role of being caught with defacing a natural feature where Coconino National Forest Service spokesman stated, "She was caught in the act because she publicized it and she is famous. I'm sure there are others who are not famous and publicized it and we've never known.", Vanity Hollywood has cited.

The American actress and singer admitted to using a rock on damaging the geological formation and gave the authorities the information on where to find it. Volunteers and Coconino National Forest Service employees found the 1 by 1 foot heart matching Hudgens' description on February 23 2016

"Spring Breakers" star Austin Butler is the current and long-time boyfriend of Hudgens.

Tags

Vanessa Hudgens, Austin Butler, Bell Rock, Friends of the Forest, Sedona Red Rocks

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