Over $1 million worth of dinosaur bones were allegedly stolen from Utah and shipped to China.Photo:BLM
BLM
Four Americans have been charged with selling $1 million worth of dinosaur bones to China.
The defendants are being charged with multiple felony charges against the United States, including “concealing and retaining stolen property,” per the release. In addition to selling $1 million in paleontological resources, the indictment alleges the defendants' actions caused more than $3 million in damages.
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The defendants allegedly violated the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA).BLM
The release added that the Wades then allegedly collected paleontological resources to sell to national vendors at gem and mineral shows. Meanwhile, they allegedly sold the illegally obtained paleontological resources to the Willings, who then exported the dinosaur bones to China through their company, JMW Sales, per the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The indictment also outlined that the more than $3 million in damages consisted of restoration and repair costs, the resource’s commercial value and the resource’s scientific value.
“So although dinosaur bones and all of the paleontological resources have a value on some markets, the true loss of removing these items from public lands cannot be monetarily measured. It is invaluable,” Higgins added, perKSL.com.
According to the Attorney Office’s statement, the defendants are set to have their first court appearance on Oct. 19. According toThe Salt Lake Tribune, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Salt Lake City Field Office is working on the case alongside the Bureau of Land Management Monticello Field Office and the Grand County and San Juan County Sheriff Offices.
source: people.com
