What happened to the Federal case involving Bob Sullivan and Ed Brown? I'd saved some of the files pertaining to the case, and while cleaning up my computer last night, I got to wondering how the Appeal turned out. For those who don't recognize these names, these were the detecting duo who allegedly, in 2003, drove their truck around a steel pipe fence at a Federal Park in TX, a 150 year old historic site. The truck damaged a small stone fence in two locations and broke several small trees. In addition, the two were charged with breaking the Texas Antiquities Code and the Archaeological Protection Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act and found guilty of [ ARPA 16 U.S.C. @470 ee (a) ---Unauthorized Archeological Excavation; and 36 C.F.R. @ 327.14 (a) ---Destruction, Defacement or Alteration of Public Property]
According to one of the files I saved, Park Ranger Dempsey watched with binoculars as the two detected in the water and/or on the shoreline. He testified he saw the one on shore dig 4 holes with a yellow handled digger. (Dempsey later testified that he found approximately 18 freshly dug holes.) When the guy on the shore saw the Ranger, he waved and walked into the vegetation on the shoreline, where he stooped out of site. The other guy stayed in the water, near the boat. When they finally got back in the boat and came ashore, the Ranger approached them and found that the boat contained five metal detectors, two which were stated to be underwater detectors. The boat also contained a small gasoline powered compressor with hose and breathing apparatus, and inter-tube, diver down flag, small gas can, 5 gallon bucket with assorted cans and junk metal, a navy blue backpack, a black fanny pack, two poles with perforated plastic containers at one end, one sharpshooter shovel, and a large ice chest with drinks and snacks. There was also a small green plastic tray with assorted coins, small chain, tarnished fork, a marble and assorted small scraps of odd metal items. There was also a black bag with a GPS unit, a dis-assembled metal detector, and a black and white spotted steno notebook containing dates, locations, lists of artifacts found, etc of past treasure hunting trips.
Long story short.....they were found guilty and about a year ago, some guy named Keith Wills was using the internet, club meetings and detecting magazines to solicit money from detectorists and clubs to hire new lawyers so they could file an appeal. He said: "If Bobby and Ed can be convinced to appeal this decision, then all the monies needed for a good attorney instead of these two court appointed attorneys they had, would be easy to raise. If every metal detector user would just give $20.00 each for their love of this hobby, then any fee the lawyer comes up with would easily be covered, but it would take everyone working together on this. If Bobby and Ed do not appeal this decision it will surely take away 50 % of lands allowed now to be metal detected in the next few years. Also, if Bobby and Ed decide not to appeal it will be because they know that many in this hobby will not stand up for them and support them. The time for relying on someone else to defend your rights to metal detect are over. No one man or organization can be everywhere at once defending you and making it legal for you to enjoy this hobby across this country. WAKE UP! Many of us have worked very hard for you for years; don
According to one of the files I saved, Park Ranger Dempsey watched with binoculars as the two detected in the water and/or on the shoreline. He testified he saw the one on shore dig 4 holes with a yellow handled digger. (Dempsey later testified that he found approximately 18 freshly dug holes.) When the guy on the shore saw the Ranger, he waved and walked into the vegetation on the shoreline, where he stooped out of site. The other guy stayed in the water, near the boat. When they finally got back in the boat and came ashore, the Ranger approached them and found that the boat contained five metal detectors, two which were stated to be underwater detectors. The boat also contained a small gasoline powered compressor with hose and breathing apparatus, and inter-tube, diver down flag, small gas can, 5 gallon bucket with assorted cans and junk metal, a navy blue backpack, a black fanny pack, two poles with perforated plastic containers at one end, one sharpshooter shovel, and a large ice chest with drinks and snacks. There was also a small green plastic tray with assorted coins, small chain, tarnished fork, a marble and assorted small scraps of odd metal items. There was also a black bag with a GPS unit, a dis-assembled metal detector, and a black and white spotted steno notebook containing dates, locations, lists of artifacts found, etc of past treasure hunting trips.
Long story short.....they were found guilty and about a year ago, some guy named Keith Wills was using the internet, club meetings and detecting magazines to solicit money from detectorists and clubs to hire new lawyers so they could file an appeal. He said: "If Bobby and Ed can be convinced to appeal this decision, then all the monies needed for a good attorney instead of these two court appointed attorneys they had, would be easy to raise. If every metal detector user would just give $20.00 each for their love of this hobby, then any fee the lawyer comes up with would easily be covered, but it would take everyone working together on this. If Bobby and Ed do not appeal this decision it will surely take away 50 % of lands allowed now to be metal detected in the next few years. Also, if Bobby and Ed decide not to appeal it will be because they know that many in this hobby will not stand up for them and support them. The time for relying on someone else to defend your rights to metal detect are over. No one man or organization can be everywhere at once defending you and making it legal for you to enjoy this hobby across this country. WAKE UP! Many of us have worked very hard for you for years; don