WV_Detecting
Full Member
08/24/2011
Fayetteville Man Admits to Unlawful Digging at Park
Staff
Fayetteville
A Fayetteville man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges he dug up and removed archaeological resources at the New River Gorge national River.
Randy Lee Hamm, 34, admitted to federal charges of unauthorized excavation, removal, damage, alteration, and defacement of archeological resources on public lands without a valid permit.
On April 24, 2010, Hamm was stopped by National Park Service Rangers after they spotted him digging holes at the Indian Rockshelter at the park, which is overseen by the National Park Service.
Hamm said he was looking for arrowheads, pieces of flint and other items related to Native Americans.
Hamm did not have a valid permit to dig in the area.
Artifacts dug up by Hamm were valued at more than $44,000. The restoration and repair to Indian Rockshelter was another $2,000.
Hamm faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine when he is sentenced Nov. 2, 2011.
Fayetteville Man Admits to Unlawful Digging at Park
Staff
Fayetteville
A Fayetteville man pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges he dug up and removed archaeological resources at the New River Gorge national River.
Randy Lee Hamm, 34, admitted to federal charges of unauthorized excavation, removal, damage, alteration, and defacement of archeological resources on public lands without a valid permit.
On April 24, 2010, Hamm was stopped by National Park Service Rangers after they spotted him digging holes at the Indian Rockshelter at the park, which is overseen by the National Park Service.
Hamm said he was looking for arrowheads, pieces of flint and other items related to Native Americans.
Hamm did not have a valid permit to dig in the area.
Artifacts dug up by Hamm were valued at more than $44,000. The restoration and repair to Indian Rockshelter was another $2,000.
Hamm faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine when he is sentenced Nov. 2, 2011.
