Federal Grand Jury Indicts Tucson Man in Alleged Theft and Trafficking of Tribal Artifacts

For Immediate

Release: CPAO

Friday, December 12, 2025.

TUCSON, Ariz. – On December 3, 2025, a federal grand jury in Tucson returned a two count indictment against Leo Reynoso, 46, of Tucson, alleging violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act stemming from the unauthorized excavation and sale of cultural items belonging to the Gila River Indian Community.

According to the indictment, Reynoso is accused of excavating and removing protected archaeological resources from known sites located on tribal lands without permission. Prosecutors allege he unearthed and damaged multiple locations before taking numerous artifacts, including Indian Trader tokens, coins, buttons, crucifixes, jewelry, and other culturally significant items.

The indictment further alleges that Reynoso trafficked some of the illegally obtained artifacts by selling them without the required federal permits. An archaeological damage assessment estimates the commercial value of the items at approximately $5,700, the archaeological value at roughly $29,000, and the cost to restore and repair the damaged sites at about $23,000.

Each count, Unauthorized Excavation of Archaeological Resources and Trafficking in Archaeological Resources, carries a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison and a $20,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service and the Gila River Indian Community Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Tucson, is overseeing the prosecution.

Officials emphasize that an indictment is only a formal accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

“The recent indictment handed down by a federal grand jury in Tucson is a step in the right direction for an incident that deeply hurt the Gila River Indian Community,” said Governon Stephen Roe Lewis “Unauthorized excavation and trafficking of archaeological artifacts taken from tribal lands is a pain that no tribe should have to endure. The excavation and removal of items taken from protected sites without permission is a violation of the highest order,” he added. “I want to thank the U.S. Forest Service, the Gila River Police Department, our Tribal Historic Preservation Office, and the Cultural Resource Management Program for their hard work in enforcing the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. Although the damage has been done, we hope that justice will be served for these horrendous crimes."