Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
A Presidential pardon came as a complete surprise to a Utah man convicted of a felony more than 16 years ago.
David Lane Woolsey was convicted in 1992 for digging up ancient Indian ruins on federal land. At the time, it was the first felony conviction of the 1992 federal law against pilfers of archaeological sites.
Hikers stumbled across Woolsey and another man, Jimmy Barney, digging in a shelter dating back to 90 B.C. Both plead guilty.
Wayne Dance was the federal prosecutor on the case. Dance said, "That damage, of course, is irreplaceable and that's why this is a serious crime, a felony."
In fact, this type of crime can lead to two years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. But Woolsey and Barney got off relatively easy with community service and a fine of $50 each.
Today, Dance says the news that Woolsey was pardoned comes as good news because he's obviously turned his life around. "What's significant now considering the president's pardon of Mr. Woolsey is, I am pleased to learn that not only is he rehabilitated, but has led an upstanding life during the interim 17 years," Dance said.
Woolsey, who works on an oil rig in Wyoming, says he feels great about the pardon but didn't expect it. He says he filled out a pardon application on the Internet more than two years ago.
E-mail: lprichard@ksl.com
