Forest Service probes Nazi graffiti south of Tahoe

RENO (AP) - Forest Service officials are asking for the public's help to find the vandals who spray-painted swastikas and anti-government graffiti on government property in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest south of Lake Tahoe.

Among other things, the words "Forest Service Nazis" were sprayed on bathrooms, signs and rocks at the Forest Service Sno-Park in Hope Valley in Alpine County, Calif.

Investigators say the damage was done the week of July 19. If caught, the vandals face a minimum fine of $250 per incident and could be charged with a felony.

"We do not and never will tolerate hate crimes on your national forest," said Genny Wilson, chief of the Forest Service's Carson Ranger District. She said the vandalism may be attributed to frustration with Forest Service policies or the U.S. government in general.

Agency officials have been targeted for violence in the area before. In March 1995, a bomb exploded outside the Carson City office of then-District Ranger Guy Pence, damaging the building.

Four months later, another bomb was detonated outside his Carson City home, destroying the family van and blowing out the home's windows. His wife and two of his daughters narrowly escaped injury. No arrests were ever made.

Patrol Capt. Dave Leveille said use of swastikas is of particular concern.

"Those are some pretty distinct symbols with some pretty distinct meaning. That's kind of disconcerting," Leveille said. "We'd like to think it's somebody that doesn't know what they're doing, but you have to assume the worst."

In any case, he said the damage to public property is considered serious. Last summer, the Forest Service charged youths with felonies in a gang graffiti case in the Mount Rose Wilderness.

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Information from: Reno Gazette-Journal, http://www.rgj.com