Wis. Man Charged With Human-Remains Theft

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (CN) - Federal prosecutors unveiled charges against a 76-year-old Wisconsin man they say stole human remains owned by the U.S. government.

With a seal shielding much of the court record, there is little information beyond a carefully worded Department of Justice press release about Thomas Munson of Prairie du Chien, Wis.

The 76-year-old has been charged with one count of embezzlement and theft, according to the statement dated Dec. 16 but not posted to the Justice Department's website until Monday.

Citing a federal information filed on Dec. 8 in Iowa, the government says "Munson knowingly concealed human remains in the possession of the United States" between about July 16, 1990, and May 17, 2012.

If convicted Munson faces up to one year in prison, plus a fine of $100,000.

Munson was released without bond after a Dec. 16 court appearance.

He faces a change of plea hearing on Jan. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Forde Fairchild is prosecuting the case, which the National Park Service investigated.

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