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A 24-year-old man is now facing charges after being arrested for climbing the Las Vegas Sphere on Wednesday, February 7.
According to Fox 35 Orlando, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received reports about a person climbing the sphere around 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. Boardroom reports that the Las Vegas attraction is 366 feet tall and as wide as 516 feet.
Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill, the head of the department, reportedly explained that he believed the instance was a “publicity stunt.”
“Because of who they told me that they believe it is,” McMahill reportedly explained per Fox 35 Orlando.
According to the outlet, the climber was identified as 24-year-old Maison Des Champs. Additionally, Champs has acquired over 280,000 followers on Instagram for initiating similar stunts. His username reads, “@prolife.spiderman.”
Furthermore, the biography on his profile reads:
“I climb Skyscrapers to raise money for women in crisis pregnancies.”
In addition to the sheriff’s comments on the matter, Phoenix Fire Capt. Todd Keller also weighed in, per Fox 35 Orlando.
“This is so dangerous,” he explained. “You put not only yourself in danger, you put firefighters in danger. You put anyone else walking below or anybody around this incident in danger.”
When he reached the top of the sphere, the 24-year-old shared a video via Instagram with fans.
“Hey guys, I’m here on top of the Sphere,” he said. “I just wanted to say that we’re doing this today to raise money for a mother named Isabelle. She is homeless and pregnant and needs help, guys. So, go over to… the link in my bio to go support this woman…”
Additionally, Des Champs also took to Instagram to share footage of the start of his climb along with additional information about the woman he intended to raise money for.
“Today, my mission transcends the adrenaline rush of scaling skyscrapers; it’s about channeling our collective strength towards a cause far greater than any physical feat. In the spotlight of my climb today is Isabel, a brave soul currently navigating through life’s harshest storms, pregnant and facing uncertainty with every step,” he wrote.
According to another video posted by Des Champs on Thursday, February 8, he raised over $21,000 for the woman.
“The reason I do this is the unborn and their mothers – the opportunity to put the spotlight back on innocent children vulnerable to be destroyed is worth far more than any jail time,” he wrote in the video’s caption. “We’ve raised almost $21,000 so far but let’s keep it going!!!”
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Des Champs was arrested around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. The 24-year-old has been charged with “destruction of property greater than $5,000” and “conspiracy to destroy private property.”
The outlet reports that this is not the first time the man has made headlines in Las Vegas. In 2021, he was also apprehended for climbing the Aria Resort & Casino, reportedly in protest of COVID-19 mandates.
