By Bernadette H. Carreon
KOROR (Palau Horizon, July 3) - Matthew Young and Cameron James Avenell, who were convicted of theft of Palau’s underwater artifacts, were sentenced to a jail term of three months and six months, respectively.
Chief Justice Arthiur Ngiraklsong also ordered Young to pay a US$5,000 fine and Avenell US$12,000.
Young was found guilty of violating the Lagoon Monument Act, grand larceny, malicious mischief and conversion of public property.
He was sentenced six months for each violation.
The chief justice, however, suspended the first three months of Young’s sentence, which will run concurrently.
Avenell was found guilty of four counts of violations of the Lagoon Monument Act, four counts of grand larceny, four counts of malicious mischief and four counts of conversion of public property.
His six-month jail term will also run concurrently.
Ngiraklsong ordered the two to pay the fines before they depart Palau...