RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Friday, November 26, 1993

Broadcast: By 0900 EDT

INCIDENTS

93-825 - Badlands (South Dakota) - Paleontological Theft Arrest

On November 19th, a federal grand jury in Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
returned a 39-count indictment against a commercial fossil dealer and eight
other individuals for illegal taking and sale of fossils from private and
public property, including NPS, BLM, Forest Service, Indian and state school
lands.  The indictment charges Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
with illegally collecting and selling fossils to museums and private
corporations.  Among them were the fossilized remains of triceratops,
mosasaur, whales, edmontosaurus, therapods, crinoids, ammonites,
acanthoceras, catfish, turtle and fishhead.  The eight individuals were
indicted on a variety of related charges, including conspiracy, theft of
government property, interstate transportation of stolen goods, making false
statements, money laundering, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice. 
According to the U.S. attorney, the defendants conspired with others to
collect and sell fossils that were acquired fraudulently, illegally taken
from public and private lands, or illegally imported from foreign countries. 
The conspiracy also involved the use of false documents to facilitate the
sale and movement of fossils.  The 18-month-long joint investigation was
conducted by the NPS, FBI, IRS, Customs, BIA, BLM, Office of the Inspector
General and Forest Service.  The indictment does not involve the
Tyrannosaurus rex named "Sue" which led to this investigation.  [Karen
Schrier, U.S. attorney, Sioux Falls; John Donaldson, CR, BADL; 11/24]

93-826 - Whiskeytown (California) - Suicide

Rangers discovered a body tentatively identified as that of A.L. in
the parking lot for the Whiskey Creek boat launch ramp on November 23rd.  A
suicide note was found on the dashboard of A.L.'s car stating that he was
committing suicide because he had lost his job.  A.L. died of a gunshot
wound; a .22 Ruger magnum was found with him.  [Ray Foust, Superintendent,
WHIS, 11/23]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No field reports today.

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady on AL (11-26).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Smith on travel (11/24-12/3);
most everyone else on AL (11/26).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Zimmerman and Broyles on AL (11/22-11/26).


Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone: Branch of R&VP - 202-208-4874
           Branch of F&A (WASO) - 202-208-5572
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cc:Mail:   Branch of R&VP - WASO Ranger Activities
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