Death Valley National Park (CA)
Operation Indian Rocks
On December 15, 2001, D.P. and F.E. were observed collecting artifacts within Death Valley National Park. The two were contacted and subsequently interviewed by rangers. The information obtained led to the search of five locations in Nevada in early January, 2002. Over 6,000 artifacts were recovered along with maps, photographs and other evidence. Based on the seized evidence and interviews, it became apparent that a group of thieves had systematically looted archeological sites on BLM, FWS, USAF and NPS lands for at least the past ten years. An interagency task force was formed consisting of NPS, FWS, BLM, and USAF archeologists and law enforcement personnel. During 2002, over 50 archeological sites were located, examined and assessed for damage. In September, 2002, three more searches were conducted and another 4,600 artifacts were recovered, including Native American remains. The searches also led to the identification of more looted sites. In December, 2002, F.E., D.W. and B.W. were indicted by a federal grand jury in Las Vegas on a total of 11 felony counts. F.E. and D.W. appeared in court in January, 2003; B.W. fled to avoid prosecution. He was subsequently located in Oklahoma and arrested. Four searches were then conducted in Oklahoma by task force members, and more evidence and artifacts were seized. In the fall of 2003, F.E. was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $86,196 in restitution. B.W. ultimately pled guilty to $518,309 in damages — the largest amount ever in a criminal ARPA case. He was sentenced to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay $102,364 in restitution. D.W., who had a minor role in the looting, plead guilty to one felony ARPA count and was sentenced to six months of home confinement, five years probation and ordered to pay $19,087 in restitution. The target of the September, 2002, searches, Kevin Peterson, pled guilty to one felony count and was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of home confinement and five years probation and ordered to pay $80,084 in restitution. D.P. cooperated extensively with investigators; he was sentenced to six months of home confinement and five years probation and ordered to pay $56,635 in restitution. Other suspects are under investigation. For additional details, see newspaper articles at these web sites:
http://
www.sltrib.com/2003/Dec/12172003/utah/120645.asp
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Dec-17-Wed-
003/news/22815756.html
[Submitted by Todd Swain, Special
Agent]
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Burglary Arrests
Over the past several months, the Ash Mountain headquarters area of
the parks has suffered through a string of burglaries of government
facilities and vehicles. Stolen were numerous firearms, computers,
radios and miscellaneous government supplies and equipment. An
investigation into these burglaries led to the arrests of J.C.
and T.D. of Fresno. Ranger Paul Scott Martin and special agent
Eric Inman of the Oakland office of the NPS Office of Investigations
conducted the investigation that led to the arrests and to the recovery
of the firearms and most of the other stolen NPS property. In addition
to the NPS property, property belonging to the Border Patrol, California
Fish and Game, and American Red Cross was also recovered. J.C., a
convicted felon, is a former seasonal firefighter at Sequoia-Kings
Canyon and had been previously arrested by rangers in 1998 for the theft
of National Park Service property. J.C. was sentenced to 30 months in
prison in the 1998 case after he agreed to a plea bargain in which the
theft of government property charges were dropped in exchange for a plea
of guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of firearms. J.C.
and T.D. will be indicted on felony theft of government property on
January 22nd.
[Submitted by Bob Wilson, Law Enforcement
Specialist]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (WA)
Passing of Ranger Bernie Merritt
On January 16th, the park and the National Park Service lost one of its finest visitor and resource protection rangers after a long battle with leukemia. Ranger Bernard Merritt passed away, leaving his wife, two sons, a daughter and numerous friends. Bernie Merritt joined the National Park Service at Lake Roosevelt NRA in 1988 after a lengthy law enforcement career in New York and Alaska. He and wife Mary both retired from the Service in 2001 after he discovered he had cancer during his annual physical. Bernie continued to support the National Park Service with his expertise up until he passed away. He will be sorely by friends and colleagues from both within and outside of the National Park Service. The family has asked that donations be made in lieu of flowers to Youth Group Fund: Bernie Merritt Memorial, c/o First Baptist Church, 915 South Cedar, Colville, WA 99114.
[Submitted by Gig Lebret, Kettle Falls District Ranger]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.