Illegal Excavation Of State Archeological Site Leads To Conviction

Ft. Myers – This morning, Charles Jury, 51, of Ingles, Florida, was convicted of one count of misdemeanor theft, one felony count of dealing in stolen property, and one felony count of criminal conspiracy. He was immediately taken into custody following a criminal trial at the Lee County Court House.

Jury, owner of Sea Forest, a wholesale/retail shop located on U.S. 19 near Crystal River, was suspected of purchasing artifact shells that had been illegally excavated from an Indian burial mound -- a state archaeological site – on Josslyn Island. An investigation into these claims, which began in September of last year, was conducted by agents from the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Law Enforcement. Agents gathered evidence for several weeks, which led to Jury’s arrest by the DEP Division of Law Enforcement Bureau of Park Police.

"If the evidence shows that a crime has been committed, DEP will take every action necessary to bring those responsible to justice," said Thomas S. Tramel III, Director of DEP's Division of Law Enforcement. "Although pillaging and theft of an archaeological site does not pose a threat to public health and safety, it robs all of us of our valuable cultural and historical heritage. DEP will continue to do all that it can to protect Floridians as well as Florida’s natural resources."

Jury was placed into custody at the Lee County Jail without bail pending sentencing at the end of October. The trial, presented by the Statewide Prosecutors Office, was presided by Honorable Judge Thomas Reese.

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