The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to rehear an artifact theft case.

Two non-Indian men admitted they stole petroglyphs from federal land in Nevada. But a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit cleared the men of theft charges because federal prosecutors failed to show the items had "monetary" value.

The Department of Justice sought a rehearing, saying the ruling gives people a license to steal from federal land. The 9th Circuit rejected the request on June 15.

The artifacts have been recovered and date back at least 1,000 years.

Get the Story:
Court refuses to revisit theft of petroglyphs (AP 6/24)
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Government Theft Case:
US v. Ligon (March 20, 2006)

Related Case:
US v Lynch, No 99-30325 (December 7, 2000)

Relevant Links:
Washoe Tribe - http://www.washoetribe.us
Friends of Sierra Rock Art - http://www.sierrarockart.org

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