Law
DOJ seeks rehearing of petroglyph theft case


The Department of Justice has asked the full 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear an artifact theft case, saying an earlier ruling gives people a license to steal.

Two non-Indian men admitted they stole 1,000-year-old tribal petroglyphs from federal land in Nevada. But a three-judge panel in March ruled they couldn't be prosecuted because the items did not have a "monetary" value.

Instead the men could only face charges for theft of government property. They served minimal jail sentences.

If the rehearing is not granted, DOJ could ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

Get the Story:
Appeal Focuses on Protecting Ancient Sites (AP 6/19)
pwpwd

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

Related Stories:
Man says he stole petroglyphs to protect them (03/23)
Artifact theft convictions thrown out by federal court (3/22)
Jury convicts men for stealing government property (06/03)
Jury struggling with verdict in artifact removal case (6/2)
Men defend removal of tribal petroglyphs in Nev. (01/30)
Two men indicted for stealing ancient petroglyphs (10/09)
Secret witness tip leads to return of petroglyphs (09/17)
Prison sentence for Alaska Native grave disturber (9/27)
Court to rehear eagle protection cases (8/9)
Minn. man sentenced for eagle violation (5/31)
Man pleads guilty to selling artifacts (11/2)
Undercover sting nets sacred artifacts (10/02)
Govt works to protect artifacts (06/29)
Yahoo! removes auction (06/22)
Culture for Sale: Sitting Bull (06/20)
Culture for Sale: eBay (5/23)