California men accused of shattering $200K mammoth tusk at Branson-area museum
Two California men have been charged after they allegedly shattered a mammoth tusk worth an estimated $200,000 at a popular tourist attraction near Branson, Missouri.
The Taney County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday charged Todd W. Azevedo, 48, and Brett J. Howard, 46, both of Petaluma, California, with one count each of first-degree property damage.
The alleged damage occurred shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday at the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at the Top of the Rock attraction in Ridgedale, Missouri, according to court documents.
According to court documents, Azevedo allegedly waved to his friend, Howard, and told him to grab the tusk of the woolly mammoth fossil. Howard allegedly agreed.
Azevedo allegedly picked up Howard and placed him on his shoulder, so Howard could grab onto the tusk.
Once Howard reached the tusk, he allegedly attempted to hang on it, causing it to shatter. When the tusk hit the floor, it broke into multiple pieces.
An employee who had just checked in for work and was watching a security monitor saw one of the men lift the other up to grab the mammoth skeleton. When the man grabbed the mammoth, it allegedly fell apart, breaking into pieces.
When the employee attempted to contact the men, they allegedly ran out the door. The employee located the men outside and had them return inside. The employee then notified the security team.
The tusk weighed around 200 pounds and was estimated to be worth about $1,000 per pound, security told investigators.
Court documents show that both Azevedo and Howard were arrested on Monday and were released on a $15,000 surety bond.
Part of the conditions of their bond require them not to return to any Top of the Rock or Bass Pro property in the United States and not to associate with each other.
If convicted, they each face a maximum of four years in prison.
This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 12:59 PM.
