Ohio man who bought Native American remains gets probation

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – An Ohio man has received three years of probation after admitting he purchased remains of eight Native Americans reportedly stolen from a farm.

Mark Beatty was ordered to pay a $3,500 fine and $1,000 in restitution to the Miami American Indian tribe in Oklahoma at his sentencing in federal court on Thursday.

The 57-year-old Wellston man agreed to publish an ad warning others not to engage in the illegal excavation of Native American bones and artifacts.

Beatty also was sentenced to perform 100 hours of community service in a program supporting interests of Native Americans.

Beatty pleaded guilty last year to one count of trafficking in Native American remains.

Defense attorney Ritchey Hollenbaugh said Beatty was fully cooperative, returned everything and understood the delicate nature of the remains.