A professional climber was in custody Wednesday after scaling the Las Vegas Sphere, according to the Las Vegas police.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department received a call about the climber at 10:11 a.m. local time. Police said the climber was later detained without incident.
"We are grateful to the local authorities for their support in this matter," a spokesperson for Sphere Entertainment said in a statement, via NBC affiliate KSNV. "The individuals involved are currently in the custody of LVMPD."
The climber was identified as Maison DesChamps, who goes by "Pro-life Spider-Man" on social media. He has been arrested for previous climbing stunts aimed at drawing attention to his anti-abortion cause, including one in Phoenix ahead of last year's Super Bowl.
He posted a short cellphone video Wednesday morning on his Instagram account. The video shows him against a blue but cloudy sky with a GoPro camera strapped to his head.
“Hey guys, I’m here on top of the Sphere,” he says in the video, wind whipping in the background as he explains that his latest stunt was meant to help raise funds for a pregnant woman who is experiencing homelessness.
Des Champs has been charged with one count of felony destruction of personal property and conspiracy to destroy property, a gross misdemeanor.
U.S. & World
Court records on Wednesday evening did not list a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.
Des Champs was first arrested by Las Vegas police in August 2021 after scaling the Aria on the Strip. That time, he said he was protesting mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and trespassing, but prosecutors later dismissed the case, court records show.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
This year's Super Bowl will take place at Allegiant Stadium, which is just miles from the Sphere on the Las Vegas Strip.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
