Two Colorado men are facing criminal charges after allegedly trespassing and stealing artifacts from a historic cowboy camp in Utah's Canyonlands National Park.
Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, residents of Durango, Colorado, allegedly “entered a fenced area” of the park on March 23, “where they visited Cave Springs Cowboy. They allegedly manipulated and stole numerous historical artifacts stored in the camp.” The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah said in a Nov. 4 press release.
Both men are charged with theft of government property under $1,000, possession or distribution of cultural or archaeological resources, and walking on or entering archaeological or cultural resources, authorities said.
They are scheduled to appear Nov. 8 in U.S. District Court in Moab before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin B. Peed.
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Dusty Spencer and Roxanne McKnight were allegedly caught on trail cameras in Canyonlands National Park trespassing at the historic Cave Springs Cowboy Camp and stealing artifacts. (CanyonlandsNPS on X)
“This historic camp was protected by a fence and clear warnings prohibiting visitors, which McKnight and Spencer ignored,” authorities added in a statement. The area is protected by a log fence, according to court documents.
The thieves ignored clear “no trespassing” signs around the site, which houses artifacts unearthed from settler ranching camps from the late 1800s to 1975, the prosecutor's office said. It is said that he did.
The camp also features ancient rock carvings made by indigenous tribes about 6,000 years ago, according to the park's website.
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McKnight and Spencer are charged with theft of government property under $1,000. owning or distributing cultural or archaeological resources; Walking on or entering archaeological or cultural resources. (CanyonlandsNPS on X)
Antique nails were among the items the couple allegedly took, according to court records.
Canyonlands National Park distributed photos of the two taken on trail cameras in May.
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In May, Canyonlands National Park distributed a trail camera photo of the two. (CanyonlandsNPS on X)
“Canyonlands National Park Law Enforcement Park Rangers are seeking information from the public to help identify the suspects involved in the archaeological theft at Cave Spring Cowboy Camp in the Needles section of the park. “There is,” they wrote.
Historic artifacts from the late 1800s to 1975 at Cave Springs Cowboy Camp are photographed. (NPS/Neil Herbert)
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“Video recorded at the site shows individuals entering restricted areas, removing artifacts from cabinets, and handling historic harnesses in a manner that could potentially damage them,” park officials said.
