A Wisconsin man has admitted to stealing human remains from a national monument in Iowa where he formerly served as superintendent.
At a plea hearing, 76-year-old Thomas A. Munson, pleaded guilty to one count of stealing human remains from Effigy Mounds National Monument, according to a statement from the U.S. States Attorney. The hearing was Monday, December 28, 2015.
Munson admitted that back in July of 1990, he “voluntarily, intentionally, and knowingly” took human remains from the collection, the statement said. He carried a box of human remains from the curatorial facility to his car and told another person to do the same. Munson then drove the remains to his Wisconsin home and kept them there for more than two decades.
“When the boxes were finally recovered, investigators discovered that several of the human bones were broken or fragmented beyond recognition,” read the statement.
Because of Munson’s theft, the National Park Service has spent nearly $83,905 in restoration and repair costs and was expected to spend another $25,000, the statement said. Munson will have to pay at least $108,905 back to the National Park Service.
Munson worked at the Effigy Mounds starting in July 1964. He became the superintendent in February of 1971 and served in that position until he retired in May 1994, according to the U.S. States Attorney. While he was employed, it was Munson’s job to preserve and protect the site.
“It is a very sad day when a public official betrays the public’s trust,” said U.S. States Attorney Kevin W. Techau. “This was a serious crime and the betrayal was compounded by a violation of the most sacred trust placed in Mr. Munson as the Superintendent of Effigy Mounds National Monument.”
There would be no sentencing date set until a presentence report was prepared. Munson was on pretrial release until sentencing was set.
The Effigy Mounds National Monument is located in Allamakee County in northeast, Iowa, and was established to protect more than 200 known prehistoric earthen burial mounds. Twenty tribes affiliate themselves with the monument. Click here to learn more about the Effigy Mounds.
