Federal charges filed against Colorado residents for destroying historic site in Utah national park
Two people from Colorado are facing federal charges after being accused of destroying a historic site in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park in March 2024.
Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43 — both from Durango, Colorado — are accused of trespassing, disrupting, and stealing from Cave Springs Cowboy Camp in Canyonlands National Park.
Based on details provided in misdemeanor information documents, the pair is accused of stealing antique nails that were on display. They are also accused of “handling and manipulating antique horse tack and cabinetry,” documents said.
According to the National Park Service, cowboys settling in canyon country in the late 1800s lived in “isolated outdoor camps” — and those camps were used until 1975, when cattle ranching in the park ended.
The camp at Cave Spring was chosen because of a nearby reliable water source. Evidence also indicates that Native American ancestors occupied the canyons about “6,000 to 700 years ago.”
“This historic camp was protected by fencing and clear warnings prohibiting visitors from entering the area, which McKnight and Spencer disregarded,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah wrote in a press release on Nov. 4.
The pair is facing the following charges:
- Theft of government property, less than $1,000
- Possessing or disturbing cultural or archaeological resources
- Walking on or entering archaeological or cultural resource
McKnight and Spencer are set to appear in court on Nov. 8. The National Park Service is investigating the case.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
