HARPERS FERRY, W.VA. - Three Harpers Ferry residents indicted Jan. 19 in connection with last month's vandalism at Jefferson Rock turned themselves in to federal authorities Thursday and are free on personal recognizance bond, according to U.S. Attorney Thomas E. Johnston.
Robert Owen Hopkins Jr., 20, and Steven Nicholas Hopkins, 18, both of 448 Persimmon Pear Lane; and Nicholas Brian Vlachos, 22, of 151 Blue Ridge Acres, are named in the three-count indictment.
According to a press release from Johnston's office, brothers Robert and Steven Hopkins and an unnamed juvenile are alleged to have conspired to willfully injure the historic rock between Dec. 20 and 22 by painting the top red, using paint they purchased and brought to Harpers Ferry.
The second count alleges the Hopkins brothers and an unnamed juvenile aided and abetted each other in causing the damage to Jefferson Rock, the press release said.