Georgia Treasure Hunter Faces Prison Time
Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 7:18 am
ROME, Ga. -- A 53-year-old Bartow County man has told a federal court he was looking for treasure when he dug 15 holes in a Civil War battlefield.
Eric George Blaasch pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rome Wednesday to charges related to digging the holes and taking three Minie balls, Civil War-war era bullets.
Blaasch is not expected to have to pay restitution, but he could face up to two years in prison and 94 days public service when he's sentenced on Oct. 8.
Authorities say he was covered in mud and carrying tools and a flashlight when he was spotted by park rangers in Feb. 2005 in the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park in northwest Georgia.
He initially said he had gotten lost while hiking.
Mark
Eric George Blaasch pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Rome Wednesday to charges related to digging the holes and taking three Minie balls, Civil War-war era bullets.
Blaasch is not expected to have to pay restitution, but he could face up to two years in prison and 94 days public service when he's sentenced on Oct. 8.
Authorities say he was covered in mud and carrying tools and a flashlight when he was spotted by park rangers in Feb. 2005 in the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park in northwest Georgia.
He initially said he had gotten lost while hiking.
Mark
