Minnesota Man Apologizes For Defacing Monument

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A Minnesota man is apologizing for defacing a national monument in Montana.

Cole Randall, of Plymouth, told investigators he carved "Cole + Shpresa 10/10/2013" into Pompeys Pillar National Monument after he became fearful his new wife might have breast cancer.

Randall says the act was "definitely stupid and misguided."

He also sent his statement to the federal Bureau of Land Management. Its investigators are assessing damage before deciding whether to bring criminal charges.

Randall and his wife, Shpresa Lleshaj, attracted deputies' attention on Oct. 10, when they tripped an alarm at the sandstone monument east of Billings, Mont. The monument was closed at the time because of the partial federal government shutdown.