American tourists to face a judge after carving their initials into the Colosseum

Two California women did their best to prove the "ugly American" tourist stereotype on Saturday when they carved their initials into the Colosseum in Rome.

The women, ages 21 and 25, left their tour group and used a coin to carve a "J" and an "N", The Guardian reports. They were caught by security after they documented their crime by taking a selfie. The initials were about 3 inches high, on a wall that was restored during the 1800s. Defacing the Colosseum is strictly forbidden — if common sense doesn't stop a person, signs everywhere in English and Italian get the message across.

The Colosseum has six million visitors every year, and while most are able to spend time there without leaving their mark, three months ago a Russian tourist who was caught carving a 10-inch letter received a four month suspended prison sentence and a fine of €20,000 ($22,000). The Californians are set to face a judge soon.

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