LOS ANGELES (AFP).- A California woman who defaced some of America's most iconic landmarks in the name of art pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to two years' probation and 200 hours of community work.

Casey Nocket, 23, of San Diego, had documented her exploits on social media as she traveled the country in 2014 and over a 26-day period damaged rock formations at seven national parks by drawing or painting on them with acrylic paint and markers.

"The defendant's defacement of multiple rock formations showed a lack of respect for the law and our shared national treasures," prosecutor Phillip Talbert said in a statement.

"The National Park Service has worked hard to restore the rock formations to their natural state, completing clean-up efforts in five of the seven parks."

Among the parks targeted by Nocket, who went by the nickname "Creepytings," was Death Valley National Park in California, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

Authorities said a court hearing will be held at a later day to determine the amount of money Nocket will be required to pay in restitution.

The graffiti artist was nabbed as she had proudly documented her crimes on Instagram, for all to see.

Her account on the photo-sharing website was deleted following an outcry, but not before various media outlets got hold of it, publishing exchanges in which she shamelessly defends her work.

"It's art, not vandalism. I am an artist," she wrote at the time, cited by The Denver Post. 

The case also prompted a White house petition demanding she be prosecuted with more than 10,000 people signing the document.

"This case illustrates the important role that the public can play in identifying and sharing evidence of illegal behavior in parks," said Charles Cuvelier, chief of law enforcement for the National Park Service. 

"It is clear that the public cares deeply for the special places that the National Park Service represents, and the resolution of this case sends a message to those who would consider such inappropriate behavior going forward."



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