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HAWTHORNE, Fla. – Michael David Smith, 45, of Palatka, was arrested Saturday and charged with taking arrowheads from and defacing an archaeological site; he was also charged with drug possession.
At about 10:55 a.m. on Saturday, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer received information that a man was digging artifacts on Burnt Island, which is part of the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area. The area is a documented archaeological site, and it is illegal to dig for artifacts on State and managed lands.
Two officers found a pickup truck in the area with a probe (commonly used for digging artifacts) in the bed. Smith is the registered owner of the truck.
The officers went on foot to the artifact site and reportedly found Smith digging with a shovel; they noted that he was covered in dirt and mud and had several other probes and shovels nearby. Smith reportedly said he was just digging but would not say what he was digging for; he eventually said he was digging for arrowheads and did not know it was illegal to dig on State lands.
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Post Miranda, Smith reportedly admitted to digging for artifacts and said multiple people advised him that arrowheads could be found in that area. He said he had some arrowheads in his pocket, and an officer reportedly took two arrowheads from one pocket and multiple pieces of chert (broken pieces of arrowheads and tools) from other pockets.
Smith reportedly gave consent for a search of his truck, and no other artifacts were found, but an officer reportedly found a bottle of Subutex pills, prescribed to a third party. Smith reportedly said he had no idea how the pills had gotten into his truck.
Smith has two felony convictions (none violent) and eight misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He is currently on probation for dealing in stolen property. Judge David Kreider set bail at $30,000.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
