2 sentenced for handling ‘numerous historic artifacts’ at Canyonlands National Park

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Two people received sentences Friday for trespassing onto a historical site at Canyonlands National Park, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Utah.

Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, of Durango, Colo., were sentenced March 7 for trespassing onto a fenced-off historical site at Canyonlands National Park and disturbing the artifacts on display. The artifacts included an antique horse tack and cabinetry, officials said.

“This historic camp was protected by fencing and clear warnings prohibiting visitors from entering the area, which McKnight and Spencer disregarded,” the press release from the Attorney’s Office states.

McKnight was sentenced to a one-year ban from federal public lands in Utah and one year of probation, officials said. Spencer was sentenced a two-year ban from federal public lands in Utah and two years’ probation.

Additionally, both McKnight and Spencer have been ordered to pay fines totaling $1,500.

“The sentence comes after the defendants pleaded guilty to possessing or disturbing cultural or archaeological resources, and walking on or entering archeological or cultural resource, Class B misdemeanors,” the release states.

The National Park Service investigated this case.

No further information is available at this time.