ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) - A Georgetown man has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for illegally excavating Indigenous American archaeological sites in the Kisatchie National Forest and unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, acting United States Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced this week.

Roy Everett Jordan Jr., 57, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to 24 months for the unauthorized removal of archaeological resources and an additional six months for illegal firearm possession. Following his prison term, Jordan will serve two years of supervised release.

A federal jury convicted Jordan in March after an investigation revealed that he had conducted unauthorized digging at four protected sites in Grant Parish in 2022. The areas were known to contain Indigenous American artifacts such as arrowheads and human-altered stones.

According to evidence presented at trial, U.S. Forest Service agents obtained photo evidence showing Jordan at the site actively digging. Just hours later, Jordan posted on social media about an artifact he claimed to have found at that same location.

A subsequent search of Jordan’s home uncovered numerous arrowheads and pottery shards, as well as a table covered in camouflage cloth matching the one in his social media post. Investigators also found a shed filled with similar artifacts and clothing consistent with what Jordan had worn in the photos.

During the search, agents seized a loaded .22 caliber ISSC semi-automatic pistol. Jordan, who has three prior felony convictions, is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service, FBI, Louisiana State Police, and the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Gaskins prosecuted the case.

Latest news