ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ACT

In late March, rangers received a "Parkwatch" tip from a concerned citizen regarding possible ARPA violations occurring within the park. On the evening of April 1st, two men were observed within the battlefield, but could not be safely apprehended. A check of the area revealed numerous freshly dug and refilled holes. Following a daylight survey of the crime scene, a strategy for capturing the suspects on a return trip was developed. The two camouflage-clad, 33 years-old-males - subsequently identified as John N. Walker and Jeffery S. Blevins - were caught well within the park s boundary around midnight on April 5th they had in their possession metal detectors, entrenching tools and freshly dug artifacts. Over 2,000 Civil War artifacts with a market value in excess of $4,500 were recovered through search warrants and interviews of the suspects. An assessment of the nine-acre crime scene coordinated by archeologist John Wright of the Delaware Water Gap NRA assisted by archeologist Julie Steele of the Valley Forge Center for Cultural Resources placed the archeological loss at over $50,000, making this the largest Civil War ARPA violation on record.

On July 8th, Walker and Blevins pleaded guilty in federal district court to one felony count each of conspiracy to violate ARPA. Interviews of the suspects revealed that they had operated freely within the battlefield since December, 1995. They admitted wrong doing and stated their activity was prompted by the second government shutdown. Said one of the men: "I figured they were getting ready to sell the place off for a subdivision, so I might as well get my share of the artifacts while they were there. After all, its not like this stuff is going to grow back." Ranger Mike Bremer served as lead investigator on this case, which was successfully concluded and prosecuted at the park level.