Robert Knowlton Indicted for Selling and Transporting Archaeological Artifacts

DENVER—Robert B. Knowlton, age 66, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver late yesterday on charges of knowingly selling and transporting archaeological resources.  Knowlton, who was named in a five count indictment, will receive a summons to appear in U.S. District Court in Denver on September 14, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.

According to the indictment, on July 17, 2008, in Colorado, Knowlton knowingly sold a Cloud Blower pipe, a Midland Point, and a Hell Gap knife, all of which are artifacts valued in excess of $500, and all of which had been illegally removed from public lands. The indictment further states that on July 18, 2008, the defendant knowingly mailed the three archaeological resources from Colorado to Utah. The three items have a combined value of $5,000 or more. Knowlton allegedly knew that the archaeological resources had been stolen, converted, or taken by fraud. The defendant sold the Cloud Blower pipe for $750, the Midland Point for $3,000, and the Hell Gap knife for $3,000. The offense allegedly took place in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Knowlton faces four counts of sale of, offer to sell, and transport of an archaeological resource. If convicted he faces not more than two years in federal prison, and up to a $20,000 fine for each count. If convicted of the one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, the defendant faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

“The BLM and FBI have worked hard to protect historic archeological resources and return illegally obtained artifacts,” said U.S. Attorney David Gaouette.

“The value of any particular artifact is not that it can be hunted, looted, traded and sold as a collectible novelty treasure,” said Bureau of Land Management Special Agent in Charge Jeanne M. Proctor. “Rather, the true value of cultural resources lies in their context, as well as the sacred and scientific meanings such archaeological artifacts provide us as a People. Removing, collecting and selling artifacts from BLM Public Lands and National Forests are federally prohibited criminal acts, which our special agents and uniformed law enforcement officers are specially trained to investigate.”

“The FBI is pleased to work in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management to protect archaeological resources,” said Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge James Davis. “These resources are part of America’s history and one that we want future generations to be able to experience.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Knowlton is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Mydans.

The charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.