Kristy Loree Gordon of Quitman was sentenced to four years’ probation for excavating and removing archaeological resources, including human skeletal remains, from public land at a Native American site. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and delivered by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
Gordon, 43, was indicted on June 6, 2023, for excavating and removing items from public lands without permission. She pleaded guilty to the charge on March 13, 2025.
The case began when hikers discovered possible human skeletal remains near Pouge Springs in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest on November 19, 2020. Law enforcement responded after being notified by Gordon, who initially said she found the remains while digging with a stick and then covered them up before contacting authorities.
Officers observed significant excavation at the site. A U.S. Forest Service archeologist confirmed it was a known Native American archaeological area where no excavation permits had been issued. Human skeletal remains, tools, and tool fragments were collected from the scene.
Gordon later admitted to U.S. Forest Service agents that her initial statement was false. She explained she went to dig for artifacts after hearing about the location’s reputation for Native American relics. She dug about 1.5 feet down and brought bones home before realizing one was a human skull fragment. Gordon stated she returned the bones to the site and covered them with dirt before reporting them to law enforcement.
A search of Gordon’s home revealed a large collection of Native American artifacts, including an archaic knife identified as a funerary object associated with burial practices. Gordon acknowledged finding this knife with the skeletal remains and taking it along with other objects.
Investigators also obtained a warrant for Gordon’s Facebook account and found that she had shared photographs of human skeletal remains with others on the day she contacted law enforcement.
Federal law protects Native American remains and funerary objects under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990.
As part of her plea agreement, Gordon agreed to pay $16,135.32 in restitution for restoration and repair costs at the site.
The investigation involved the U.S. Forest Service and Stone County Sheriff’s Office; Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary prosecuted the case.
