Additional Arrests Made in Howard's Rock Vandalism Case

Two more North Carolina men have been arrested in connection with the vandalism of Howard's Rock at Clemson University's Death Valley earlier this summer.

Howard's Rock has long been an iconic part of the university's football program. Clemson Tigers players touch the rock for luck as they enter Death Valley.

Clemson University police charged Michael J. Rogers, 46, of Pisgah Forest and Alden James Gainey, 17, of Brevard each with felony counts of conspiracy and obstructing justice.

The two men appeared before a Pickens County Magistrate today, and each was released on a personal recognizance bond of $7,500.

As Patch earlier reported, Micah Rogers, 18, of Pisgah Forest, N.C., was arrested in June and charged with malicious injury to real property and unlawful entry to enclosed places.

The vandalism happened earlier that month. Police said that part of the rock had been chipped off and its protective casing destroyed.

Rogers turned himself in after seeing his truck, a Ford F-250, on surveillance video released shortly after the vandalism.  Rogers said he was camping with family in the Clemson area at the time the crime was committed. He did not admit to breaking the rock at the time of his arrest.