Francisco Martin v. One Bronze Rod

Plaintiff-Appellant Francisco Martin sought warrants of arrest in rem against one bronze rod and three chests, including their contents and associated artifacts, in connection with his claims for salvage, forfeiture, and/or possession brought under federal admiralty jurisdiction in the district court. Martin believes the res to be cargo of the Gasparilla Pirates buried over 150 years ago. The district court denied his motion for the issuance of a warrant of arrest in rem as to the three chests, which remain buried on private and state-owned lands, but granted it as to the bronze rod, which…