A hole dug into a burial mound at the Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. Photo from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility
The former superintendent of the Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa is due in federal court today to plead guilty to the theft of ancestral remains. Thomas A. Munson kept two boxes of Indian remains at his home for 12 years, according to an information filed in federal court. He admitted he took them in July 1990 -- just months before the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act became law. "At all times, defendant knew the boxes contained human remains from the Effigy Mounds National Monument," a plea agreement that was filed on December 30, 2015, reads. Despite admitting to the crime, Munson will not be going to prison. Instead, he will serve one year of probation and be required to pay $108,000 in restitution to the federal government. Munson also agreed to submit a "public acknowledgment of guilt and apology" to the 12 tribes that are associated with the monument. It must be delivered in written, audio and video formats and can be posted on Indianz.Com, Indian Country Today, Pechanga.net and other media sites, according to the plea agreement. Get the Story:
National Park Services Grave Robber Will Pay Restitution and Serve Probation (Indian Country Today 1/4)
Plea deal calls for probation, apology in theft of remains (AP 12/30)
Plea seeks probation, written apology in Effigy Mounds case (The Des Moines Gazette 12/30)
Related Stories
Mary Annette Pember: Ex-official admits to theft
of ancestors (12/22) Former monument official charged for stealing Indian remains (12/17)
NPS suppresses probe into destruction at burial mound in Iowa (08/04)
Radio: NPS allowed destruction of tribal burial mounds in Iowa (10/24)
Ex-official under probe for keeping ancestral remains in a box (05/27)
No charges filed for damages to burial mounds at national park (05/13)
Join the Conversation
