Artifact collectors sentenced
Four men accused of trafficking in archaeological resources will forfeit more than 12,500 archaeological items as part of their federal penalties.
Three of the men were recently sentenced, and a fourth is awaiting sentencing.A fifth man, Scott Matteson, 60, of Fort Pierre, has pleaded not guilty and will be tried in January 2010. Matteson faces up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
John Sheild, 77, of Monona, Wis., was fined $10,000 and ordered to forfeit his interest in a variety of items ranging from military items to bone tools.
Brian Ekrem, 28, Selby, will spend 10 months in prison and one year on supervised release. Ekrem was ordered to forfeit 204 items.
Richard D. Geffre, 29, Pierre, was sentenced to three years of probation, six months of home confinement and fined $20,000. Geffre forfeits 7,930 items including bead work, arrowheads, tools and bison skulls.
Elliot D. Hook, 52, Wessington Springs, has pleaded guilty to trafficking in resources. As part of his plea agreement, Hook will forfeit 4,369 artifacts. Hook was also ordered to forfeit his interest in 797 fossil items. His sentencing is set for January 2010.
Read entire article at Rapid City Journal
Three of the men were recently sentenced, and a fourth is awaiting sentencing.A fifth man, Scott Matteson, 60, of Fort Pierre, has pleaded not guilty and will be tried in January 2010. Matteson faces up to five years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
John Sheild, 77, of Monona, Wis., was fined $10,000 and ordered to forfeit his interest in a variety of items ranging from military items to bone tools.
Brian Ekrem, 28, Selby, will spend 10 months in prison and one year on supervised release. Ekrem was ordered to forfeit 204 items.
Richard D. Geffre, 29, Pierre, was sentenced to three years of probation, six months of home confinement and fined $20,000. Geffre forfeits 7,930 items including bead work, arrowheads, tools and bison skulls.
Elliot D. Hook, 52, Wessington Springs, has pleaded guilty to trafficking in resources. As part of his plea agreement, Hook will forfeit 4,369 artifacts. Hook was also ordered to forfeit his interest in 797 fossil items. His sentencing is set for January 2010.