Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Grants Pass eyes urban renewal projects ... (No heading) ... Mushroom poachers busted at Crater Lake ... Grants Pass eyes urban renewal projects ... (No heading) ... Mushroom poachers busted at Crater Lake ... Man gets probation for taking archaeological artifacts Ronnie Lester Bishop forfeited more than 700 artifacts Comment By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 5:17 PM By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 5:17 PM » Social News A Grants Pass man who admitted to disrupting archaeologically significant federal land along the Rogue River was sentenced Tuesday in U.S. District Court to probation and restitution costs nearing $10,000. Ronnie Lester Bishop, 44, of Grants Pass, pleaded guilty in February to one count of Illegal Excavation of Archaeological Sites, admitting that from April 2013 to June 2014 he'd damaged lands managed by the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. According to court documents, Bishop was seen on surveillance cameras in May 2013 digging with a shovel, carrying a screen for sifting dirt, filling the screen with dirt and carrying a small pick on BLM land along the Rogue near Merlin. Several Native American villages occupied the area for more than 8,000 years, the document says. Later surveillance footage and evidence showed Bishop was in the area on at least 21 separate occasions in 2013 and 2014, a release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice says. During many of the illegal digs, Bishop was seen with others, and investigation into the incidents continues, a sentencing brief filed in the case says. In a June 2014 search of Bishop's home, investigators found more than 700 archaeological artifacts, a document filed in court says. According to the release, the seized items will be forfeited and restored to the archaeological site. During the search, investigators found the artifacts spread out on Bishop's floor, chairs and desk, and on end tables and TV stands in the family room of his home. In the garage they found a washing station and drying rack with artifacts. Investigators also found books on Native American artifacts and culture, backpacks, excavation tools and photos of 61 Native American images believed to be artifacts. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken sentenced Bishop to five years' probation, $9,871.49 in restitution for costs associated with restoring the site he damaged, and 150 hours of community service. Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat. By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat MailTribune.com By Nick Morgan Mail Tribune Follow @@mtcrimebeat Posted Jun. 21, 2016 at 5:17 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501