In the fall of 2002, members of the “Operation Indian Rocks” ARPA task force learned that employees of a corporation were apparently damaging archeological sites on BLM lands. The corporation, ATV Adventures Inc, was providing guided all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tours under a BLM permit near Logandale, Nevada. Based on this initial information, an investigation was begun with the support of the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada. Several Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service officers went on ATV Adventures tours as part of the investigation. These officers and additional surveillance revealed that employees of the company were taking clients to archeological sites, where the guides were collecting artifacts, and, in some cases, encouraging clients to look for and take artifacts as “souvenirs.” The investigation showed that the company owner and general manager were aware of this activity. Damage assessment field work was completed in May, 2003, which showed damage to three archaeological sites. The value placed on the damage by the BLM task force archeologist came to $41,798.53. On June 28th of this year, ATV Adventures pled guilty to a felony ARPA count. The owner of the company, Stoney Ward, and the general manager, Dennis Freeman, each pled guilty to one misdemeanor ARPA count. On November 17th, the corporation was sentenced to two years probation, ordered to pay $13,578 in restitution to the BLM and $60,000 in community service, and assessed an $800 penalty fee. The company also had its special use permit suspended by the BLM for 30 days. Ward and Freeman were placed on six months home confinement with electronic monitoring, two years probation, ordered to pay $3,692.97 in restitution to the BLM, and fined $2,000 each. The sentencing judge told the defendants that what they had done was unacceptable and that they should spread the word that damaging archeological sites is a federal crime and those that conduct such activities will be prosecuted and sentenced to prison. [Submitted by Todd Swain, Special Agent]

The Times and The Independent today (UK) reported an announcement from the Knights Templar in Hertfordshire, and offered a tantalising taste of the substantial hoards of treasure widely believed to be hidden or buried in the
area:-

"At the heart of the maze of tunnels is Hertford Castle, where in 1309 four Templars from Temple Dinsley near Hitchin were imprisoned after their arrest by Edward II, who believed that they were holding a lost treasure.
The treasure was never found."

The Times (UK), The last crusade of the Templars, p 13, 29 November 2004.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1379629,00.html

The Independent (UK), Knights Templar seek papal apology for 700 years of persecution, p 15, 29 November 2004.
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/story.jsp?story=587769


See also:Hertfordshire Mercury (UK), "Holy Grail: Is it here?", page 3, 10 September 2004.
[ http://www.theinsider.org/mailing/article.asp?id=0582  ]

Hertfordshire Mercury (UK), "Experts look into Hertford's labyrinth", p 23,
15 October 2004.
[ http://www.theinsider.org/mailing/article.asp?id=0634  ]

Hertfordshire Mercury (UK), "The secrets of underground Hertford", pp 16-17,
8 October 2004.
[ http://www.theinsider.org/mailing/article.asp?id=0620  ]