Current:Home > InvestMississippi man pleads guilty to taking artifacts from protected national forest site-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Mississippi man pleads guilty to taking artifacts from protected national forest site
View Date:2024-12-23 16:48:02
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man has admitted to using a tractor to unearth artifacts at protected sites in and around Wayne County.
Amos Justin Burnham, 42, of Richton, pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of unlawful excavation of an archeological site before U.S. District Senior Judge Keith Starrett, U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Forest Supervisor Shannon Kelardy with the U.S. Forest Service said in a news release.
“When archeological sites are destroyed by unlawful excavations and artifacts are stolen, we lose important clues about the past, forever,” LaMarca said.
Burnham was indicted on eight charges — four each of unauthorized excavation of archaeological resources and injury or depredation to U. S. government property, The Hattiesburg American reported.
Burnham admitted to using a tractor to illegally excavate a protected archeological site within the De Soto National Forest, which contains material remains of past human activities that are of archeological interest.
Burnham faces up to two years in prison, a $20,000 fine and the cost of repair and restoration to the site. His sentencing is set for Oct. 4.
The government also is seeking the return of the artifacts Burnham removed as well as the forfeiture of a Massey Ferguson tractor with a rear box scraper.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Monument erected in Tulsa for victims of 1921 Race Massacre
- UAW strike exposes tensions between Biden’s goals of tackling climate change and supporting unions
- Turkey cave rescue survivor Mark Dickey on his death-defying adventure, and why he'll never stop caving
- If Josh Allen doesn't play 'smarter football,' Bills are destined to underachieve
- Who will be in the top 12? Our College Football Playoff ranking projection
- Drew Barrymore pauses her talk show's premiere until strike ends: 'My deepest apologies'
- Landslide in northwest Congo kills at least 17 people after torrential rain
- Alabama high school band director stunned, arrested after refusing to end performance, police say
- Worker trapped under rubble after construction accident in Kentucky
- Egyptian court gives a government critic a 6-month sentence in a case condemned by rights groups
Ranking
- Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
- Private Louisiana zoo claims federal seizure of ailing giraffe wasn’t justified
- Sha’Carri Richardson finishes fourth in the 100m at The Prefontaine Classic
- Texas AG Ken Paxton was acquitted at his impeachment trial. He still faces legal troubles
- Champions Classic is for elite teams. So why is Michigan State still here? | Opinion
- Rolling Stone's Jann Wenner ousted from Rock Hall board after controversial remarks
- Pet shelters fill up in hard times. Student loan payments could leave many with hard choices.
- North Korean state media says Kim Jong Un discussed arms cooperation with Russian defense minister
Recommendation
-
King Charles III celebrates 76th birthday amid cancer battle, opens food hubs
-
Sha’Carri Richardson finishes fourth in the 100m at The Prefontaine Classic
-
Barry Sanders once again makes Lions history despite being retired for 25 years
-
Private Louisiana zoo claims federal seizure of ailing giraffe wasn’t justified
-
Duke basketball vs Kentucky live updates: Highlights, scores, updates from Champions Classic
-
After castigating video games during riots, France’s Macron backpedals and showers them with praise
-
Landslide in northwest Congo kills at least 17 people after torrential rain
-
Turkey cave rescue survivor Mark Dickey on his death-defying adventure, and why he'll never stop caving