Fourth defendant sentenced in relics case

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004 | 9:39 a.m.

A former Las Vegas resident became the fourth defendant sentenced in connection with one of the largest stolen archeological artifacts cases investigated by federal authorities.

David Peeler, who now lives in Hawaii, was sentenced to five years' probation and ordered to pay $56,635.80 in restitution.

Peeler cooperated with prosecutors and investigators on Operation Indian Rocks, a case that saw more than 11,000 archaeological artifacts with a value of more than $500,000 looted from protected public lands.

Peeler told U.S. District Judge Kent Dawson that he was sorry about the crimes. Peeler pleaded guilty to illegally excavating archaeological resources, and the money he pays in restitution will go to the National Park Service Foundation to help investigate other looting cases.

Three other defendants in the case were previously sentenced. Deanne Wilkie, of Carson City, was sentenced to five years probation and ordered to pay more than $19,000 in restitution.

Her former husband, Bobbie Wilkie, of Oklahoma, was sentenced last month to 37 months in prison and was ordered to pay $102,364 in restitution.

Frank Embrey, of Henderson, was sentenced in August to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $86,196 in restitution.

The final defendant in the case is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.