Petersburg Battlefield metal detectorist goes to federal prison...

[hbeaton]

I'm sure others may have beat me to the punch on this one.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/2...-t-ar-1787356/

Regardless of view, it certainly does not bode well for our collective hobby.

 

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[TerryC]

I beg to differ... about this spot shedding "bad light" on our hobby. To the contrary. This man was a thief, plain and simple. The park guys did what was best.... for us too.

 

[Diggit]

When it comes right down to it, ANY attention drawn by people like this is NEGATIVE attention. Just like those obnoxious, irresponsible TV shows that make us look like pirates and looters, only interested in monetary gain.

 

[redtruck]

The Man is a theif he schould go to jail. Also we can keep face by staying lawful and obeying the rules.

 

[Michigan Badger]

Quite an amazing story to say the least. The number of relics he recovered from the park is astounding! One has to ask oneself why it took so long to catch him?

I don't justify this fellow's actions and he probably got what was coming to him. Buy really, in spirit, this type of thing happens every day. THers usually don't rob National Parks but many do rob private citizens by hunting their lands without permission. Here in northern Michigan there have been open searches going on for years to locate THers who have robbed state lands of artifacts.

The only way one can be non-hypocritical and squeaky clean in this hobby is to always first get permission from those who have a right to grant it (not renters). I've always tried to do this and often found it impossible to locate the real owners and even when I did they usually said NO. This is the main reason I do little detecting today.

 

[Frankn]

Yes Santo broke the law, But what are we paying Blakenship for? He said some relics were lost forever But the guy found many more than he did. This is a good example of the archie theory of let it rot in the ground, but woe to the one who tries to bring it to light. Maybe Blankenship should have been fired for not doing his job!! Jest my view to think about.

 

[bluehunter1973]

I agree thief he is. Firing squad is more suitable sentence. He doesnt have a job and lives with a girlfriend collecting a check. In short he is on welfare stealing from a historical site and selling artifacts to obtain drugs or alcohol more than likely. Then he had to document his own stupidity. What the hell is wrong with these idiots.

 

[maipenrai]

So now he is an alcoholic and drug addict? Why dont we just stick to the facts. In only 7 post, this guy was changed from a stupid thief, into a druggie. Just goes to show how some of these treasure stories get changed around.

 

[2screwed]

Its guys like this that give the entire hobby another black eye, the opposition more ammunition to use against us, and help us lose the war we are fighting to keep our hobby alive.
The general public reading this article is going to have an "Oh my god! We have to stop these people!" reaction. And that isn't good for any of us.

 

[bluehunter1973]

So now he is an alcoholic and drug addict? Why dont we just stick to the facts. In only 7 post, this guy was changed from a stupid thief, into a druggie. Just goes to show how some of these treasure stories get changed around.

Well he wasnt selling them to donate to a worthy cause. Get real what do you think he would do it for. Stop giving excuses for people, whatever his cause it wasnt a good one if he has to steal. Ive dealt with catching thieves over ten years so I do have a little experience.

 

[StormSurge]

What an IDIOT!

 

[Ray S ECenFL]

Maybe they should have fined him then hired him to recover and catalog his finds so the historians could have someone to recover the long lost artifacts. Leaving them in the ground will only ensure that the relics deteriorate and no one will have them. Kind of reminds me of the folks who go to Vegas and have methods to beat the house. They catch them and hire them as consultants.
What he did was wrong for sure, but I just wonder why no one has taken the initiative to recover these long lost artifacts. They admit that the old guy had far more bullets then they had in their museum. I think they missed a golden opportunity.

 

[Diggit]

So now he is an alcoholic and drug addict? Why dont we just stick to the facts. In only 7 post, this guy was changed from a stupid thief, into a druggie. Just goes to show how some of these treasure stories get changed around.

No kidding.
I "stay home and collect a check" too (Early retirement due to disability)...so I guess I am a druggie as well...