Man Pleads Guilty to Disturbing Archaeological Site in Umatilla National Forest

Spokane, Washington – United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on September 16, 2025, Shane Dee Caldwell, age 39 of Asotin, Washington pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Washington to one misdemeanor count of disturbing an archaeological resource within the Umatilla National Forest.

Based on court documents, between June 30, 2023, and August 31, 2023, Caldwell visited an archaeological site within the Umatilla National Forest and used various tools to collect a rock believed to be an artifact and to dig for additional artifacts. The affected area is located within the traditional homeland of the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) Tribe, located on the “Great Nez Perce Trail,” a trade and travel network that was created as hundreds of Nez Perce men, women, and children fled U.S. Army Generals in 1877. Local tribe members are the descendants of the individuals who have utilized the area for at least 5,000 years and likely longer. Previously, artifacts dating from 5,000 to 200 years before present have been observed and documented within the affected area by Forest Service archaeologists. Archaeologists for the U.S. National Forest Service and the Nez Perce Tribe conducted an archaeological site assessment of the area Caldwell was seen on camera visiting. Archaeologists estimated that the archaeological value of the identified area totaled nearly $28,000. The Archaeologists further estimated that the cost of restoration and repair to the identified area would be nearly $6,000. 

Figure 1:  Archaeologist looks at one identified pit. Note bucket impression and boot footprint in foreground. 

On February 8, 2024, a search warrant was executed at Caldwell’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, law enforcement recovered 522 pieces of suspected Native American artifacts. Of those items, 514 were determined to be Native American artifacts. Archeologists agreed that the overwhelming majority of the artifacts were consistent with the type found within the archaeological site. The search also yielded Nez Perce National Forest and Umatilla National Forest maps with circled areas known to have been used by Native Americans and would likely yield archeological artifacts. 

As part of the plea agreement between Caldwell and the United States, Caldwell agreed to not claim any interest in the assets seized on February 8, 2024. The U.S. Forest Service is working with the Nez Perce Tribe to return the artifacts to the Nez Perce Tribe Cultural Resource Program. 

At Caldwell’s change of plea and sentencing hearing, Magistrate Judge Alex C. Ekstrom recognized that “There has been, historically in the United States, a lack of respect for items that belong to First Nation folks, and it has been a blind spot in the United States for a long period of time.” Judge Ekstrom further acknowledged the reasonable frustrations of tribes at the continuing theft of these items. Caldwell apologized for his actions and hoped to be forgiven. 

“The individual pursuit and hunt for artifacts and archaeological resources is a harmful and destructive action that erases invaluable pieces of the history of Native Americans. My office takes seriously the disturbance and theft of any Indian cultural items or sites and will continue to hold accountable those who illegally excavate, take, possess, or traffic in such items,” stated U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano. 

“The Forest Service is committed to upholding our trust and treaty responsibilities with Tribal Nations and protecting cultural and archaeological resources on national forest lands. These resources are irreplaceable and safeguarding them is central to honoring our government-to-government relationships,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Canuto Molina from the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region. “We appreciate the strong partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Nez Perce Tribe in bringing this case forward and ensuring these sites remain protected for future generations.” 

“The Nez Perce Tribe Cultural Resource Program is reassured that some level of accountability has been rendered for willful damage and removal of Archaeological Resources from the Umatilla National Forest, which is within the traditional territory and ceded lands of the Nez Perce Tribe.” Stated Nakia Williamson, the Director of the Nez Perce Tribe Cultural Resource Program. “The 522 artifacts that have been seized will be restored to the Nez Perce Tribe and will be taken care of according to traditional protocols. As the original people of this Land, The Nez Perce community view this act as not only ‘Disturbing Archaeological Resources’ within a National Forest, but also ignoring and undermining our basic humanity as a living culture, which is connected to the land and resources managed by the U.S. Forest Service. These are not simply ‘resources’ to our community, but are a testament to our enduring connection to federally managed lands and a reminder of our collective responsibilities to take care of the Land which provides for all of us.”

This case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service. The case was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Ohms, Contract Law Clerk Echo D. Fatsis, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler H.L. Tornabene. 

2:25-po-000161-JAG.