Park vandal turns himself in after social media backlash

SALT LAKE CITY – Officials say a vandal turned himself in after receiving backlash on social media for defacing a rock at a popular hiking spot in Zion National Park.

Authorities say the visitor wrote his Instagram username on a rock at Angels Landing in the southwestern Utah park.

Photographer Joe Braun saw the graffiti and posted a photo of it on Facebook, prompting his followers to contact the vandal to complain.

Park authorities say the vandal is co-operating with the ongoing investigation. Authorities say criminal and civil penalties are pending.

Park officials say crews cleaned the area Monday, but restoration can be a costly and lengthy process.