Roger Hawkes has been charged with one federal misdemeanor count of removing an archeological resource for the September theft of items from the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment, up to a $10,000 fine and one year of supervised release.

Hawkes entered the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center on Sept. 19, 2024 and allegedly stole an authentic pistol from the late 18th century or early 19th century and a period specific replica knife, according to an affidavit from an FBI agent investigating the case.

The theft occurred on a Saturday, during a regularly scheduled table-layout of various weapons display for public view, according to court documents.

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The pistol is more than 100 years old and considered an archaeological resource that is typically on display in a locked case.

During the public event, the weapons on the table-top display were monitored by a center volunteer who became distracted, which is when Hawkes allegedly took the pistol and knife and existed the facility, according to court documents.

Video surveillance showed Hawkes entering and leaving the center on the date of the theft.

The pistol belongs to and was in the custody and care of the center, which is owned and operated by the U.S. Forest Service, at the time of the theft.

The knife is privately owned, but on long-term display at the center and was in the custody of the U.S. government at the time it was stolen.

Investigators obtained a search warrant for the location of Hawkes’ phone during the theft, confirming that his phone was at the center at that time.

Hawkes sold the stolen pistol to a third party. Investigators recovered the item and identified Hawkes as the seller, according to court documents.

Hawkes was scheduled to appear in federal court on May 21 for an arraignment, but prosecutors recently learned that he’s in Idaho state custody and will be able to attend the hearing, so the government requested on May 19 to vacate that hearing so Hawkes can appear in Great Falls since he’s completed his Idaho sentence.