State officials in Ohio say they expect to press charges against three to five individuals accused of vandalizing Serpent Mound in an effort to "reactivate" the 1,000-year-old Native American ceremonial structure. The suspects reportedly buried a number of small objects known as "orgonites," composed of quartz, resin and other materials in the mound. Some New Age websites claim the objects draw in negative energy and produce positive energy. The suspects face second-degree misdemeanor charges if arrested, which carry fines of up to $5,000 and a 90-day jail sentence.
According to a director with the Ohio Historical Society, only three orgonites have been located, but hundreds more could remain at the site. Volunteers are scheduled to sweep the 63-acre length of Serpent Mound to search for more of the objects, which are likely buried just below the surface. The director called the vandalism "very serious." He argued that "adding things to the property is just not acceptable." Serpent Mound is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
While officials received tips about "suspicious activity" at Serpent Mount, with a group of individuals calling themselves "light warriors" later taking credit for the act in a YouTube video entitled "Serpent Mound Reactivation 2012." In the video, the group admits to having done something to the site in order to "lift the vibration of the Earth so we can all rise together."
The group, which refers to itself as United the Collective, claims to have spent several days burying orgonites in the earth near Serpent Mound, prompting officials to believe many more objects remain at the site. The video also shows several individuals running across the mounds, whose historical significant has been compared to Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids.
Despite the group's well-meant intentions, if guilty verdicts are returned, they could face jail time, fines, and misdemeanors on their criminal records. All people accused of crimes, no matter the intention behind the action, are entitled to an aggressive defense of their rights.
Source: Columbus Dispatch, "Vandals admit muffin-crystal-thingie assault at Serpent Mount," Alan Johnson, Nov. 2, 2012