BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) - Cave enthusiasts say vandals may have
permanently damaged a southern Indiana cave.

Four men caught spray-painting the interior of Buckner Cave on July 16 pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and criminal trespass on Thursday. They were fined $300 each and entered a pretrial diversion program which could eventually lead to the charges being dismissed.

Members of the caving group Bloomington Indiana Grotto noticed the smell of paint in the cave and called police, who arrested the four men.

Patti Cummings says they may be able to clean up some of the paint using sandblasting and wire brushes. She says they may use mud to cover up the rest of the graffiti.

The privately owned cave is in Monroe County, west of Bloomington.

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