A federal grand jury is accusing a Tucson man of excavating and removing artifacts from the Gila River Indian Community between October 2022 and September 2024.
Leo Reynoso was recently indicted on suspicion of violating the Archeological Resources Protection Act.
Prosecutors say he took coins, jewelry and other artifacts during unauthorized visits to the Gila River Indian Community, where Stephen Roe Lewis is governor.
“It’s just another form of pillaging and grave robbing, which is a long history there,” he said.
Prosecutors also accuse Reynoso of trafficking and selling some of what he allegedly took.
“We see this as really one of the utmost acts of disrespect on our community,” Roe Lewis said.
Prosecutors say it will cost about $23,000 to restore the sites.
“These are areas that have a tremendous amount of spiritual, and cultural and historical significance,” Roe Lewis said.
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Patty Talahongva is an Arizona native and a longtime journalist; she’s also directed and produced documentaries, among other roles.
