Staff report

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Timothy Wayne Harper, 56, was arrested yesterday and charged with digging for artifacts on State land, methamphetamine possession, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jennifer Nettles, 51, was issued a criminal citation for removing artifacts from State lands.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Officers were patrolling the Grove Park Wildlife Management Area on County Road 234 at about 6 p.m. yesterday when they reportedly saw a man and a woman near a pickup truck in an area where vehicles are not permitted.

One officer reported that as he passed the man, he saw him throwing objects away from where he was lying. The officers identified the two people as Harper and Nettles and reported that they were near a freshly-excavated large hole and were dirty, as if they had been on their hands and knees. The officers reported that they found several shovels, a sifting screen, and numerous artifacts.

Near where Harper had been lying on the ground, an officer reportedly found a baggie of methamphetamines and a small glass pipe with clear residue. A search of the pickup truck reportedly produced more methamphetamines and a hydrocodone pill.

Post Miranda, Nettles reportedly said that the pill and methamphetamines were Harper’s.

Post Miranda, Harper reportedly said that they had been digging for artifacts; that the methamphetamines, pipe, and pill were his; and that he did not have a prescription for hydrocodone.

Harper has no criminal history in Alachua or Bradford counties. Judge James Colaw set bail at $45,000.

Nettles has one conviction for possession of a controlled substance in 2012.

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.