Hollyweed

A 30-year-old artist was arrested on Monday in a prank in which white tarps were used to make the “Hollywood” sign to read “Hollyweed”, according to the Los Angeles police department.

Zachary Cole Fernandez, 30, turned himself in on Monday, just over a week after the prank and was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor trespassing.

The prankster was recorded by security cameras in the area changing the sign early on New Year’s Day.

Fernandez, an artist, had claimed credit for the stunt in a Vice magazine interview, but police had not previously confirmed his involvement.

He will be released on his own recognizance and must return to court on 15 February. Neither Fernandez nor his attorney could be immediately reached for comment.

The Hollywood sign was erected in 1923 and originally said “Hollywoodland”, to advertise a new housing development in the hills above Los Angeles.

It has been altered to say “Hollyweed” before – in 1976, after the passage of a state law relaxing rules concerning marijuana.

The same prankster, Danny Finegood, changed it to read “Ollywood” in 1987, in protest over positive treatment of Col Oliver North, the marine at the center of the Iran-Contra scandal.

He also made the sign read “Oil war” in 1990, in protest at the first Gulf war. Finegood died in 2007.