A Tucson resident, Leo Reynoso, 46, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to the unauthorized excavation and trafficking of archeological resources from land belonging to the Gila River Indian Community. The indictment was returned on December 3, 2025.
According to the indictment, Reynoso is accused of excavating and removing various artifacts—including Indian Trader tokens, coins, buttons, crucifixes, jewelry, and other items—from archeological sites located on tribal land without proper authorization. He is also alleged to have sold some of these artifacts without a permit.
Authorities estimate that the commercial value of the removed artifacts is about $5,700. The archeological value is estimated at approximately $29,000. Additionally, restoration and repair costs for the affected sites are expected to be around $23,000.
If convicted on both counts—Unauthorized Excavation of Archeological Resources and Trafficking in Archeological Resources—Reynoso faces up to two years in prison per count as well as a fine of up to $20,000 for each offense.
The investigation was carried out by the United States Forest Service and the Gila River Indian Community Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Tucson.
“An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” according to information provided by authorities.
