BOULDER, Colo. -- A felony arrest warrant was issued for a missing Marine who was the subject of a widespread search in Boulder County.

The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said the warrant was for alleged failure to comply with terms and conditions of a deferred sentence.

According to a news release issued by the sheriff's office, Lance Hering pleaded guilty to burglary and obstructing a peace officer after his 2004 arrest. In addition to the arrest warrant obtained by the Boulder Probation Office, the sheriff's office asked that an arrest warrant be issued for the 21-year-old Boulder man on a misdemeanor charge of false reporting.

False reporting carries penalties upon conviction of up to six months in jail and up to a $750 fine. The sheriff's office said it will also seek restitution for the costs of conducting the five-day air and ground search for Hering in Eldorado Canyon State Park.

A friend of Hering's, Steve Powers, 21, was charged with false reporting in the same case. Powers had told investigators that Hering fell while bouldering in Eldorado Canyon State Park and hit his head.

Deputies and volunteer search crews looked for Hering for five days before the official search was called off. Additional searchers, consisting of fellow Marines and family friends, continued the hunt for Hering until they were asked to stop by Hering's family.

The Boulder County District Attorney's Office has authorized a nationwide extradition in the event Hering is located outside Colorado. Investigators are working with Marine Corps officers in an attempt to locate the missing man.

The sheriff's office also said its earlier statement about Hering's "unauthorized absence" with the Marine Corps was in error. The sheriff's office learned that Hering's early departure was retroactively authorized, however, the paperwork had not been processed when he was shown to be absent without authorization.

The motive for Hering's disappearance appears to be his reluctance to return to duty as a Marine, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said. The 21-year-old is part of the 1st Marine Division and has been on leave from his duties. Authorities at Camp Pendleton said he will not be considered AWOL until his scheduled date to return to his unit at Camp Pendleton has come and passed.

The Marine Corps said that Hering is currently considered to be on authorized leave and is scheduled to return to Camp Pendleton on Sept. 11.

Anyone with information about Hering's whereabouts was asked to contact the Boulder County Sheriff's Office at 303-441-4444.