Kristy Loree Gordon of Quitman has been sentenced to four years’ probation for excavating and removing archaeological resources, including human skeletal remains, from public land at a Native American archaeological site. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and handed down by United States District Judge D. P. Marshall, Jr.
Gordon, 43, was indicted on June 6, 2023, after a federal grand jury charged her with excavating and damaging an archaeological resource located on public lands. She pleaded guilty to the charge on March 13, 2025.
The investigation began when hikers reported possible human skeletal remains in the Pouge Springs area of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest on November 19, 2020. Law enforcement officers from the Stone County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the scene. Gordon initially told officers she found bones while digging with a stick and covered them back up before notifying authorities.
Law enforcement observed extensive excavation at the site and were accompanied by a U.S. Forest Service archeologist who confirmed it was a known Native American site with no permits issued for excavation activities there. Officers collected human skeletal remains—including part of a skull—as well as tools and tool fragments.
In a later interview with U.S. Forest Service agents, Gordon admitted that her initial statement was untrue. She explained that she had gone to dig for artifacts based on information about the location’s potential for finding Native American items. Gordon acknowledged digging up to 1.5 feet deep where she found bones which she took home; upon cleaning them she realized one was a human skull fragment. She stated she returned these remains to the site, covered them with dirt, prayed over them, and then called law enforcement because she felt uneasy about her actions.
A search of Gordon’s residence uncovered numerous Native American artifacts including an archaic knife identified as a funerary object—an item believed placed with human remains during burial rites or ceremonies—which Gordon admitted removing along with other items from the dig site. Law enforcement also found a skull fragment outside her home where she said she had washed bones.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Gordon’s Facebook account which revealed that on the day she contacted authorities about discovering skeletal remains, she shared photographs—including images of part of a human skull—with others online.
Federal law protects Native American remains and funerary objects under provisions established by 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 covering costs associated with restoring and repairing damage at the site.
The case resulted from an investigation led by the U.S. Forest Service assisted by Stone County Sheriff’s Office personnel; Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary prosecuted.
