By Alabama Public Radio
Selma, AL – Steve Phillips is avoiding jail time, but he'll have to serve probation and pay a fine. He became the first person convicted under a 1999 state law designed to protect historic artifacts. A Dallas County jury convicted Phillips this week of misdemeanor third-degree theft for taking a Civil War-era rifle. Phillips and another man found it two years ago while diving in the Alabama river at Selma. State law makes it illegal to take or possess cultural artifacts without a permit. Phillips says he may appeal. By the way, the rifle was sent to Texas A-and-M University for examination.