PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – The U.S Attorney’s Office says more than 13-thousand archaeological and fossil items were forfeited as part of its prosecution of five men for taking the items from along the Missouri River in South Dakota. The five, including a Wessington Springs man, were indicted in late 2008 and each pleaded guilty to trafficking in archaeological resourses. Sentences included probation, eight to 10 months in federal prison or fines of 10 to 20-thousand dollars. Prosecutors say the items recovered included stone tools, cannon balls, beads, necklaces, pottery and items from military forts and trading posts.
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