Utah Group Charged with Theft of Dinosaur Bones and Conspiracy Against the U.S.
A federal grand jury in Utah has indicted four individuals for allegedly conspiring against the United States by stealing valuable paleontological resources, including dinosaur bones, from federal and state lands. The thefts, which violate the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA), are estimated to be worth over $1 million.
The accused are Vint Wade (65) and Donna Wade (67) of Moab, Utah, along with Steven Willing (67) of Los Angeles, California, and Jordan Willing (40) of Ashland, Oregon. The group is believed to have caused damages totaling $3 million by unlawfully extracting these irreplaceable paleontological assets.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, between March 2018 and March 2023, the defendants engaged in the purchase, transportation, and exportation of dinosaur bones from federal lands. They also allegedly concealed and retained stolen U.S. property.
The Wades are accused of buying paleontological items taken from federal lands, paying in cash or checks to various individuals who extracted the bones for the Wades' benefit. They then accumulated these resources, selling them at gem and mineral shows and to the Willings.
The Willings, operating under their business JMW Sales, reportedly exported the dinosaur bones to China. They are believed to have intentionally mislabeled the bones and understated their value to evade federal authorities. This scheme not only violates the law but also jeopardizes the preservation of America's invaluable paleontological legacy.
The total damages, exceeding $3 million, encompass the commercial and scientific value of the stolen resources and the associated restoration and repair costs. The theft represents a significant loss, both monetarily and in terms of cultural and scientific significance.
U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that the commercialization of these bones eradicated their scientific value, depriving future generations of the chance to appreciate and learn from these resources on federal lands. She reiterated the dedication of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and law enforcement agencies to safeguard Utah's paleontological treasures.
The accused will make their initial court appearance on October 19. This case underscores the vital importance of preserving the nation's paleontological assets and the serious repercussions facing those who attempt to profit from them illicitly.