Two Durango residents allegedly caught on a game camera at a historic cowboy campsite in Canyonlands National Park are facing three misdemeanor charges in federal court.
Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, have been charged with theft of government property, worth less than $1,000; possessing or distributing cultural or archaeological resources; and walking on or entering archaeological or cultural resource, according to charging documents filed by a federal prosecutor in the U.S. District Court of Utah.
In May the National Park Service requested help from the public in identifying two individuals caught in a March 23 video at Cave Spring Cowboy Camp entering an area with “closed” signs, removing artifacts from a cabinet and handling historic harnesses “in a manner that had potential to damage them.”
The charges also allege that the pair stole antique nails.
The NPS did not disclose how the duo was identified.
When reached by phone Wednesday, McKnight said the charges were a surprise to her when she learned of them Monday.
“I can say with 100% certainty that I did not destroy or do anything to harm any sort of artifact or piece of history or land,” McKnight said. “That's not who I am.”
She also talked up her bona fides as a respectful recreator.
“I am an avid nature lover and a die-hard protector and preserver of artifacts and antiques,” she said. “I always, always, always, when out hiking, tell friends not to touch shards of pottery.”
McKnight said that Cave Spring Cowboy Camp was “very near and dear” to her and acknowledged that she was “in the desert” that weekend.
However, she said she has not seen images circulating on the internet allegedly showing her at the site, and she declined to look them up to verify their authenticity. McKnight also declined to comment on whether she knows Spencer, and if so how, other than to say, “I have my journey, and he has his journey.”
A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Utah said the pair is scheduled for an initial appearance in federal court in Moab on Friday, however a spokesperson for the agency said the hearing had been delayed to an undetermined date.
rschafir@durangoherald.com
