Thursday, October 09, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Two indicted in theft of petroglyphs

RENO -- A federal grand jury indicted two men on felony charges Wednesday on allegations of damaging and stealing rocks with American Indian petroglyphs from a national forest bordering Reno.

John Ligon, 40, of Reno and Carroll Mizell, 43, of Van Nuys, Calif., are accused of removing three rocks containing the ancient artwork from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in August, U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden said.

One drawing depicted a human figure and sheep. Another showed an archer, sheep, wheel and lizard, and the third was of an archer and sheep.

The indictments charge the two with unlawful excavation of archaeological resources and theft of government property.

"It's news to me," Ligon said on Wednesday. He said he did not want to comment further and did not have a lawyer.

Mizell, who also goes by the name Cal Smith, could not be reached for comment.

The two are scheduled to make their initial appearance in U.S. District Court Nov. 10.

Authorities recovered the petroglyphs from the front yard of a Reno residence.

If convicted, the two men face up to two years imprisonment for the unlawful excavation of archaeological resources, and up to 10 years imprisonment for the theft of government property.

In addition, they could be forced to pay restitution and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count, Bogden said.