Four Charged With Stealing $1 Million In Dinosaur Bones And Selling Them To China

Following allegations that they had stolen dinosaur bones valued at $1 million and shipped them to China, four people were charged in Utah.

Credit: Bureau of Land Management

When Steven Willing, 67, of Los Angeles, and Jordan Willing, 40, of Oregon, were arrested in relation to the case, Utah residents Vint Wade, 65, and Donna Wade, 67, were also charged.

According to the information from the US Attorney's Office in Utah, the four individuals are charged with stealing dinosaur bones from Southeastern Utah over a five-year period. They are accused of purchasing, shipping, and exporting these bones from federal and state property during that time.

According to reports, the Wades paid "unknown unindicted individuals" in cash and checks to remove dinosaur bones from federal land so they could be sold at gem and mineral exhibitions.

Credit: Bureau of Land Management

The Willings are charged with purchasing some illegally obtained materials and then exporting them to China through their business.

The Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) provides a definition for "resources." It encompasses fossilized remains, traces, or imprints of species preserved in or on the Earth's crust, which hold paleontological significance and offer insights into the history of life on Earth.

To prevent the objects from being discovered by federal officials, the Willings are accused of mislabeling the dinosaur bones and inflating their value.

Utah Attorney’s Office

It is said that paleontological materials have sold for more than $1,000,000 in total.

Trina A. Higgins, US Attorney, denounced the crimes, saying: “By removing and processing these dinosaur bones to make consumer products for profit, tens of thousands of pounds of dinosaur bones have lost virtually all scientific value, leaving future generations unable to experience the science and wonder of these bones on Federal land.”

"The United States Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to protecting paleontological resources throughout the State of Utah.”

"We will hold accountable anyone who seeks to engage in similar criminal conduct.”

The alleged offenses took place between March 2018 and March 2023. 

They resulted in the illegal removal of 150,000 pounds of bones and other resources, causing damages exceeding $3 million.

The resource's commercial value, scientific value, and restoration and repair costs are all considered damages.

The Paleontological Resources Preservation Act prohibits the removal, alteration, destruction, sale, or acquisition of paleontological resources on federal land. The four suspects face charges for allegedly violating this law.

In addition to these allegations, the Willings and the Wades are accused of conspiring against the United States. They also stand charged with violating the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act and theft of U.S. property.