Eric Prokopi dinosaur Tyrannosauru fossils arrest: Charged with illegally importing dinosaur fossils

Prokopi has said he acted legally

Eric Prokopi has been charged with illegally importing dinosaur fossils into the United States.They included a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus Bataar skeleton from Mongolia.
Photographer: HSI
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Posted: 10/18/2012

By: Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) -- A Florida man has been charged with illegally importing dinosaur fossils into the United States.

   The charges were announced Wednesday against Eric Prokopi. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say he has been charged with multiple crimes.

   They say the fossils included a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus Bataar skeleton from Mongolia. The government seized the skeleton earlier this year, planning to return it to Mongolia.

   Prosecutors say Prokopi was arrested Wednesday morning in Gainesville, and will appear in court in Gainesville in the afternoon. Authorities say he brought the fossils into the country between 2010 and 2012.

   Prokopi has said he acted legally. He did not immediately respond to a message for comment Wednesday.