A man who climbed the Las Vegas Sphere in a widely publicized stunt has now been sentenced more than two years after the incident.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Maison Des Champs, who calls himself the "pro-life Spiderman," scaled the landmark in February 2024 while livestreaming the act on Instagram.
According to an arrest report, a Sphere engineer first spotted Des Champs during the climb. The sighting prompted an immediate response from staff and law enforcement.
Authorities later met him at the top of the structure, where they took him into custody.
Las Vegas Sphere Climber Sentenced After Viral Stunt
Des Champs, who was 24 years old at the time, reportedly told police he had previously been arrested for similar climbing incidents.
However, he claimed he had never been convicted and said that "his attorneys will get him off this incident as well."
"I just walked by the Sphere and saw that it was climbable," Des Champs said following the incident, via KNTV. "It's a cool building especially since Vegas is my hometown, so I get to sleep in my own bed after I get out of jail."
On Monday, Judge Danielle Pieper handed down a 364-day suspended sentence.
Des Champs will serve 45 days in the Clark County Detention Center. He will remain on probation for one year.
He was also ordered to pay $77,270.32 in restitution to Sphere Entertainment Company.
Lori Hurley, Aaron Hurley, and David Velasquez were also arrested in connection with the incident. Though charges against them were later dropped.
Damage Costs and Motive Behind the Climb
Initial reports suggested the stunt caused around $100,000 in damage to the Sphere.
Jay Cline, vice president of event production for Sphere Entertainment, later stated the total cost reached $107,686.32.
According to Cline, repairs included replacing 280 LED pucks at $150 each. Along with two metal LED carriers, wiring components, and labor costs to assess and fix the damage.
Des Champs, a Las Vegas native and anti-abortion activist, said the stunt aimed to raise money for the pro-life organization Let Them Live.
He reportedly raised around $48,000 through the livestream.
Des Champs said the effort was intended to help a homeless woman reconsider an abortion.
During the livestream, he encouraged viewers to donate, saying "[the woman] is homeless and pregnant and needs help".
However, reports later indicated that the woman "scheduled an appointment to terminate her pregnancy three days after Des Champs made the climb."
