Two Arrested for Digging Up Over 200 Artifacts in Florida

Cover photo by myfwc | Instagram

Excavators won’t be able to dig their way out of this one. According to a press release from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), two have been arrested by FWC officers for illegally digging up more than 200 artifacts from an archaeological area in one of the states' Wildlife Management Areas.
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The FWC state that the pair tried to be sneaky in hiding their site by cutting down and placing palm fronds all around the area, which was also a violation of state law.

Photo by myfwc | Instagram

The two were arrested following two days of officer surveillance, charged with numerous violations, and taken to the county jail. In total, the FWC reports 224 artifacts were seized from the ordeal and taken into evidence.

As of publication, the identities of the involves parties has not been released to the public, and it is unclear exactly where the incident occurred, and what charges these two diggers face; however according to Florida Statute Section 267.13, excavating on state-owned lands without a permit is a felony of the third degree, while altering archaeological sites on state-own lands without a permit is a misdemeanor of the first degree. Section 775.083 (c) states that violators could face a fine of up to $5,000 when the conviction is a felony of the third degree.
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Article by Rachael Volpe