2 accused of stealing items in Canyonlands National Park

Two tourists from Colorado have been charged by authorities in Utah after claiming they stole artifacts from a historic site in Canyonlands National Park.

According to court documents obtained by USA TODAY, 39-year-old Roxane McKnight and 43-year-old Dusty Spencer entered a gated area of the park where they allegedly stole artifacts from a historic site.

The site is the Cave Springs Cowboy Camplocated in the park.

“This historic camp was protected by fencing and clear warnings prohibiting visitors from entering the area, which McKnight and Spencer ignored,” a spokesperson said. press release of the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Utah, said.

Both McKnight and Spencer have been charged with theft of government property valued at less than $1,000, possessing or distributing cultural or archaeological resources and trespassing or trespassing on archaeological or cultural resources.

Both will make their first appearance in U.S. District Court in Moab on Friday morning, according to the news release.

USA TODAY could not immediately find an attorney representing McKnight or Spencer.

What is Cave Springs Cowboy Camp?

Located in Canyonlands National Park, the camp features several “original” artifacts from camps established by pioneer ranchers between the late 1800s and 1975.

These camps subsequently ended when livestock farming ceased in the park almost fifty years ago.

“There are still many original items left behind by the cowboys. Please do not enter the camp, touch or remove the items,” the National Park Service said said on its website.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him at X @fern_cerv_.