Burial grounds artifact theft brings jail time

A Eureka man who stole artifacts from Yurok Tribe burial grounds and published a video of his exploits on YouTube was sentenced in Humboldt County Superior Court on Friday to serve 30 days in jail, perform 60 hours of community service and pay a $530 fine.

Several tribal members were present during the proceedings, according to a prosecutor in the case, and some asked the judge to impose the maximum punishment on James Edward Truhls, who initially faced up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine after pleading guilty in September to illegally excavating and removing American Indian artifacts from a cultural site.

Despite the smaller sentence, Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Christa McKimmy said Monday she was satisfied with the ruling, given Truhls’ lack of a criminal past.

“I think the 30 days along with the community service sends a message to the community that our court is not going to take this kind of conduct lightly,” McKimmy said. “I’m pleased that the judge ordered some jail time (considering) the defendant had no previous criminal record.”

Truhls was arrested in December after Patrick’s Point State Park rangers became aware of a YouTube video that showed him uncovering the artifacts in a Yurok village site. A subsequent investigation led to more videos Truhls had posted online, including one in which he showed off his entire collection.

When authorities searched Truhls’ home in December they not only found arrowheads and an awl that were taken from Patrick’s Point State Park, but several other cultural items from other American Indian tribes.

According to the Yurok Tribe, these other artifacts were collected from the Eastern Sierra Nevada region and, like the ones taken from Patrick's Point State Park, were also featured on YouTube.

As a part of his sentence, Truhls was ordered to return the Yurok Tribe artifacts and sentenced to two years of informal probation, during which time he cannot go to state parks in Humboldt County. There will also be a restitution hearing to determine if Truhls will have to pay for the damage to the burial site.

McKimmy said an archeological survey estimated there was about $14,000 worth of damage done to the burial grounds, and the presumed site reparation would cost around $8,000. 

“The hearing will be to determine what the actual amount will be,” McKimmy said. “That (total amount) will be our request, and I’m sure the defense will contest that.”

Traditionally, Yuroks are buried with items that represent their personality while they were alive. According to the tribe, if these are removed it’s as if part of a person’s identity is stolen. This makes disturbing burial sites one of the most offensive crimes that can be committed against Yurok ancestors.