Two tourists are charged with stealing historic artifacts from a restricted site in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park—caught on camera and now headed to court!
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MOAB, UT
– Two tourists from Colorado are facing federal charges after an adventure at Canyonlands National Park in Utah allegedly led to the theft of protected artifacts. Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, both of Durango, Colorado, were charged on Monday with multiple federal offenses, according to an announcement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Charges Filed Against Tourists
The charges against McKnight and Spencer include theft of government property valued at less than $1,000, possessing or distributing cultural or archaeological resources, and unlawfully entering a designated archaeological or cultural site.
These charges follow an incident on March 23, 2024, at the Cave Spring Cowboy Camp, a historic location within the Needles district of Canyonlands.
Theft Caught on Camera
The National Park Service (NPS) had taken to social media in May, seeking the public’s help to identify two individuals captured on a trail camera at the restricted site.
According to park officials, McKnight and Spencer were seen on video entering an area marked with clear signage warning of restricted access. In the footage, the suspects can be seen removing artifacts from a cabinet and handling historic harnesses in a way that, according to the park, “had potential to damage them.”
The NPS reported that the footage was key evidence in identifying the pair and in filing the charges. The video was instrumental in drawing public awareness and ultimately led to the identification of the two suspects.
First Court Appearance Scheduled
McKnight and Spencer are scheduled to appear before the United States District Court in Moab, Utah, on November 8, 2024.
If convicted, the charges could carry serious consequences under federal law, which strictly protects cultural and archaeological resources within national parks.
Preserving Our Shared Heritage
The incident underscores the ongoing challenge of protecting archaeological treasures in public lands across the country. Preserving sites like Canyonlands National Park requires strict adherence to regulations designed to keep these national treasures intact for generations to come.
For now, all eyes will be on Moab as the case unfolds, with both locals and visitors alike hoping this serves as a stark warning against tampering with historical sites.
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