Two Dozen Charged For Indian Artifacts Thefts In Utah - UPDATES

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                             Feds to announce charges for Indian artifact thefts in Utah






By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 06/10/2009
Washington

» Federal authorities are expected to visit Utah later today to announce a slew of criminal charges involving the looting of archeological sites in the southeast part of the state. Two dozen people have been arrested, the Justice Department confirms.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman and officials from the FBI and Justice Department plan a 1 p.m. news conference in Salt Lake City to detail the charges netted after a two-year undercover investigation.

The charges stem from the theft of cultural and historic artifacts from Indian lands and federal tracts in the Four Corners area, according to the Interior Department.



(The Associated Press
contributed to this story)

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                                DOJ Charges Looters in Massive Ancient Artifact Theft






June 10, 2009

Deputy Attorney General David Ogden, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, and other officials announced charges this afternoon in the country’s largest ever investigation into the theft of archaeological and cultural artifacts.
 
Two dozen individuals are accused of looting Native American burial sites and other public lands near Four Corners, the area where the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado meet. Arrest warrants were issued for 23 of the defendants. The case involves 256 separate artifacts worth nearly $336,000. 
 
Today’s indictments follow an undercover investigation by the Justice Department, the Interior Department, the FBI, and state and local law enforcement that spanned the past two years.
 
During a press conference in Salt Lake City this afternoon, Ogden said that committing energy and resources to achieving justice in Indian Country is of “paramount importance” to the Justice Department, and that officials from the highest levels of the department will be reaching out to Indian leaders. “I’m deeply committed to working collaboratively with tribal governments,” Ogden said.
 
Salazar, who said he was at the press conference on behalf of President Barack Obama, said today’s announcement should be a reminder to looters that, while they may profit in the short term, “the Department of the Interior, the Department of Justice and law enforcement around this country will track you down and bring you to justice.”
 
The defendants are charged with violations of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. They were scheduled to appear today before Judge Samuel Alba in the U.S. District Court for Utah.



Posted by

Marisa McQuilken
on June 10, 2009
at 04:04 PM
in Justice Department



http://www.archaeologynews.org/link.asp?ID=451830&Title=DOJ Charges Looters in Massive Ancient Artifact Theft

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http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=6771105

VIDEO








                                    Dozens arrested in archeological artifacts bust






June 10th, 2009 @ 5:18pm
KSL.com
SALT LAKE CITY

-- Federal agencies busted two dozen people in what they're calling the largest investigation ever of artifacts taken from public and Native American land. The defendants are accused of being part of a network that was not selling, but stealing artifacts.

The artifacts came from the Four Corners region. The area is a treasure trove of significant Native American archeology dating back many centuries. Over the years, scientists estimate the majority of artifacts from the region have been looted, pillaged and sold for profit.

On Wednesday, federal officials announced a crackdown. After two and a half years of investigating, federal agents arrested 23 people early Wednesday morning; a federal grand jury has indicted 24.

"The suspects are excavators, dealers and collectors. They were arrested and indicted as part a two-year investigation, code named 'Cerberus Action,'" explained U.S. Deputy Attorney General David Ogden. The code name comes from Greek mythology. Cerebus is a multi-headed dog who guards Hades' underworld.

The defendants began making their appearances in a Moab court on Wednesday. A federal magistrate judge was transported to Moab just to handle the cases.

Among those federal authorities say they arrested: David Lacy, the brother of San Juan County Sheriff Mike Lacy; and James and Jeanne Redd, who have previously been charged by federal authorities with desecrating Anasazi graves.

Another indicted, Harold Lyman, was recently inducted into the Utah Tourism Hall of Fame for his work at the Blanding Visitors Center. [CLICK HERE to see a list of the defendants]

 Spotlighting the case, both the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and the head of the agency overseeing Indian Affairs joined the announcement, warning those who steal tribal artifacts.

"[We] will track you down and will bring you to justice if you violate these laws," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Larry Echo Hawk, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, said, "I think I could say, on behalf of Native Americans, that these articles are really priceless. You can't put a dollar figure on it." Asst. Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs

According to court documents, an inside source working with the FBI secretly taped, with both audio and video, the alleged looters and bought, at the direction of the government, 256 artifacts worth more than $335,000

"The illegal network is a very close knit entity," FBI Special Agent Patrick Brosnan wrote in the affidavit. "Individuals who deal in stolen archaeological objects are usually very careful to disguise the site of origin."

Local Native American leaders condemned the thefts and said they hoped prosecutors would be more thorough this time. Utah Indian Affairs Director Forrest Cuch said he felt the Redds were never prosecuted fully the last time they were charged.

"They just let them off the hook, slapped their hands," he said.

Cuch said the artifacts are sacred to Native Americans. "I think Indian people will be celebrating this and they will be very happy that the U.S. Government is enforcing its repatriation and antiquities laws. This is something the tribes appreciate very much," he said.

If convicted, those indicted face one to 10 years in prison.

------

Story compiled with contributions from

John Daley and
Ben Winslow

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                                Last of those charged in artifacts case appear in court






By Christopher Smart
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 06/11/2009

A 78-year-old member of the Utah Tourism Hall of Fame, Harold J. Lyman of Blanding, Thursday morning entered a plea of not guilty to trafficking in stolen artifacts.

Lyman was one of two dozen defendants caught up in a federal law enforcement sting surrounding the looting of archaeological artifacts in San Juan County. He is charged with one felony count of violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), punishable by two years in prison and a $250,000 fine; and one felony count of theft of government property, punishable by 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Lyman was among the last six of those indicted by a federal grand jury to make initial appearances before federal Magistrate Samuel Alba in a Moab courtroom.

Lyman will be assigned a public defender. Alba ordered federal officials to provide the defense with evidence against the defendants by June 26.

Aubry Patterson, 55, of Blanding, pleaded not guilty to four felony counts of violating ARPA and two felony counts of theft of government property, as well as three felony counts of theft of Indian tribal property.

Patterson, who appeared in court in shackles, was released after Alba determined he was not a risk to federal officers.

According to courtroom testimony, Patterson told an undercover federal agent that if caught with artifacts he would have a shoot-out with authorities rather than go to jail.

Patterson was convicted of a marijuana-related felony in 1982. Lynn Donaldson, a defense attorney with the federal public defender's office, told Alba that Patterson had no history of violence.

"Sometimes I talk tougher than I am," Patterson explained to the judge.

Tammy Shumway, 39, of Blanding, also pleaded not guilty. She is charged with eight felony counts of violating ARPA and five felony counts of theft of government property.

She is presently serving a state sentence for possession of methamphetamine. When that sentence expires in 10 days, she will have a detention hearing on the federal charges in Alba's Salt Lake City courtroom.

Also making initial an appearance on federal charges of looting Thursday was Richard Raymond Bourret, of Durango, Colo.

He pleaded not guilty to one felony count of violating ARPA and one felony count of depredation of government property.

Carl Lavern Crites, 74, and Marie Virginia Crites, 68, both of Durango, Colo., also pleaded not guilty to federal looting charges Thursday. The Crites are dealers in historical artifacts.

Alba said a status conference will be held for all 24 defendants in his Salt Lake City courtroom in August. He did not specify a date.



csmart@sltrib.com

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                                 Utah man indicted in archaeology theft ring found dead






June 11th, 2009 @ 10:07pm
ArchaeologyNews.com
BLANDING

-- One of southeastern Utah's most prominent citizens was found dead Thursday, just a day after
his arrest in a massive federal roundup for archeology theft.

Dr. Jim Redd of Blanding was one of two dozen people charged Wednesday with stealing, buying or selling ancient Indian artifacts.

He disappeared early Thursday morning, triggering a search through the day. He was found by late afternoon in his own vehicle, the apparent victim of a suicide.

A businessman from the area told KSL News Dr. Redd's death is a tragedy. "He delivered thousands
of babies," the businessman said. "And he devoted much of his life to helping the people of San Juan County."

A family spokesman expressed appreciation Thursday for a large outpouring of support from the community.

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                                     Many artifacts remain in alleged looters' custody


                Archeology » Law requires that stolen materials end up with museums and tribes.






By Brian Maffly
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 06/11/2009

Many Indian artifacts involved in a major federal sting remain with the very people suspected of looting them from public land or buying them from looters, although federal authorities hope to eventually hand these treasures over to tribes for repatriation or to museums.

Federal agents on Wednesday executed search warrants in San Juan County targeting some of the 24 defendants charged with trafficking and stealing artifacts. They catalogued and photographed hundreds of items, then left them, said Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City.

"They [the suspects] have to keep track of them as a condition for their pretrial release," she said. The suspects also must refrain from selling any artifacts and make "reasonable efforts" to protect them from damage and theft.

"It will be closely monitored by the judge," Rydalch said.

Many of the artifacts in question are several centuries old, likely relics of the Ancestral Puebloan, or Anasazi, culture. Some are ceramic pottery, figurines or stone objects, but many, such as sandals and yucca leaf loincloths, are made of perishable plant fibers, according to court filings.

At this early juncture in the legal process, officers lack the authority to seize artifacts, the number of which could far exceed the 256 linked to a confidential informants' transactions that form the basis of the 12 federal indictments unsealed Wednesday, Rydalch said. Prosecutors have filed forfeiture papers to take possession of property used to facilitate the crimes, and evidence documented in Wednesdays searches will be used to expand the probe.

"The investigation does not close with the issuance of indictments. Additional charges could be filed," she said. "But at the end of the day, we can seize and forfeit only what we can prove was taken from federal and Indian lands."

Forrest Cuch finds little solace in the explanation. The director of Utah's Division of Indian Affairs still questions the wisdom of allowing suspected looters to retain custody of materials that are highly susceptible to insect and moisture damage.

"They need to be removed and held by law enforcement," he said. "They have to be curated in a temperature-control climate."

Rydalch said the feds do have the artifacts their source purchased, but added their informant also was selling artifacts.

The indictments, for example, charge two Blanding residents with receiving a ceramic mug, an ax, a gourd necklace and an effigy bird pendant.

What becomes of these materials once they wind up in federal custody is another question. If prosecutors establish they came from federal lands, they will be subject to the 1979 Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) and the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.

Items stolen from burial sites most likely will be handed over to tribes under NAGPRA, which allows for the re-internment of funerary objects and human remains. It may take years before they are released from evidence storage, but other looted items will go to designated repositories, typically museums.

"ARPA compels us to curate them with a professional curatorial facility," said Richard Hanes, who heads the Bureau of Land Management's Division of Cultural and Paleontological Resources and Tribal Coordination. "They have to meet certain federal standards for security, climate control and accessibility."

Archaeologist Joel Janetski, a Brigham Young University professor, hopes the artifacts will remain in Utah, preferably at Blanding's Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum or the Utah Museum of Natural History. The looted artifacts still hold intrinsic value that visitors should be allowed to enjoy, even though they have lost some of their value to science, he said.

"The perishables can still be dated exactly," Janetski said. "To have these really rare and beautiful things come out without any controls is really disheartening."

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                                                Artifact-theft suspect to change plea



                      Facing seven felonies, Jeanne Redd may have reached deal with prosecutors.






By Patty Henetz
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 07/03/2009



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Q & A:
Artifact theft bust

Blanding resident Jeanne Redd, perhaps the highest-profile defendant in the federal crackdown on illegal trafficking in ancient artifacts, has been scheduled to appear in court Monday to change her "not guilty"
plea.




During such hearings, defendants typically admit guilt under a deal with prosecutors. The hearing will be
before U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups.

A plea change would be the first major law-enforcement development after the June 10 federal sweep netted 24 Utah, Colorado and New Mexico residents accused of illegal trafficking in artifacts from the Four Corners region.

All were accused of stealing or selling American Indian artifacts including pots, figurines, necklaces, sandals, blankets and seed jars. The indictments listed a total of more than 115 felonies and a handful of misdemeanors.

Redd, 59, was arrested along with her husband, James Redd, 60, at their Blanding home. She was charged with seven felonies: two counts of violating the federal Archaeological Resources Protection Act; two counts of theft of government property; and three counts of theft of Indian tribal property.

James Redd was charged with one felony count of theft of tribal property.

Both Redds pleaded not guilty during their initial appearance the day of the raid.

James Redd killed himself the next day in his Jeep parked by a pond on his property. He died of carbon-monoxide poisoning

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A week later, another defendant, Steven


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Shrader, 56, Santa Fe, N.M., shot himself to death in Shabbona, Ill.

Neither of Jeanne Redd's attorneys -- Rod Snow of Denver and Mark Moffat of Salt Lake City -- could be reached Thursday. Melodie Rydalch, spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman, declined to comment on the hearing.

The busts drew criticism from many Blanding residents and San Juan County Sheriff Mike Lacy, whose brother is one of the defendants. Sens. Orrin Hatch and Bob Bennett also questioned what they described as "heavy-handed" law-enforcement conduct.

Tolman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Timothy Fuhrman countered that intelligence gathered during the 2 1/2-year antiquities investigation indicated many of the defendants had access to guns. They said one suspect told an undercover operative -- identified only as the "Source" -- that if caught with artifacts, he would shoot it out with authorities rather than go to jail.

A search warrant affidavit unsealed last week includes grainy copies of undercover photos taken in the Redd home during the investigation .

One of the photos shows pots, blankets and other relics piled atop one another in display cases and shelves. Another depicts Jeanne Redd kneeling on the floor showing a ceramic mug to an unidentified man whose face is hidden.

The Redd affidavit says some of the mugs and necklaces -- along with the four sandals she showed or sold -- came from Indian lands, including the Floating House Ruin in Chinle Wash -- which mystery writer Tony Hillerman called Many Ruins Canyon in his novel A Thief of Time .

During multiple visits the Source made to the Redd home in 2007, the affidavit says, Jeanne Redd traded some artifacts for buttons, purportedly from Dark Canyon. She tried to sell for $4,000 a gourd containing a 13-inch shell necklace on its original string.

The Redds have a history of running afoul with the law. In 2003, they agreed to pay the state $10,000 after they were prosecuted criminally for raiding a burial site to settle a $250,000 lawsuit filed by the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.

Jeanne Redd pleaded no contest to a reduced charge. Charges against her husband eventually were dropped.





Hearing set


Blanding resident Jeanne Redd, 59, who pleaded not guilty on June 10 to seven felony counts of violating federal laws protecting American Indian artifacts, is scheduled for a change-of-plea hearing Monday at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups Salt Lake City.

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BLM agent guards the front gate and private driveway

(Al Hartmann /
The Salt Lake Tribune)










                    Feds removing American Indian artifacts from burial site thieves' home






By Brandon Loomis
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 07/07/2009

Redd, daughter admit to looting, selling ancient Indian artifacts.

 The day after Jeanne Redd and her daughter pleaded guilty to looting American Indian artifacts, teams of federal agents and archaeologists began removing relics from the family's Blanding home.

Bureau of Land Management special agent Dan Barnes said several BLM trucks along with two rental trucks arrived at the Redd home shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday to haul away the artifacts.

Barnes said all of the home's Indian relics, whether from public or private lands, were being retrieved. This arrangement was part of the plea deals entered by the Redds on Monday in federal court in Salt Lake City.

Jeanne Redd, 59, pleaded guilty to seven felonies and her 37-year-old daughter,

Federal agents and archaeologists walk up the driveway to the Redd home south of Blanding Tuesday to search for and haul away artifacts.The turning over of artifacts was part of a plea deal with Jeanne Redd and federal prosecutors. (Al Hartmann/The Salt Lake Tribune )Jericca Redd, admitted to three for illegally trafficking in Indian antiquities.

Barnes said about 20 people were deployed to remove the artifacts -- about half were FBI and BLM agents and half were BLM and Interior Department archaeologists.

The archaeologists were overseeing the boxing and wrapping of the artifacts, which will be sent to the BLM office in Salt Lake City -- before going to museums or tribes.

Barnes, who was guarding the road to the hillside home, said the Redds were expected to be in their house with their attorney during the relic removal. But it was unclear if they were there.

Jeanne Redd was among 24 defendants indicted in a June 10 crackdown on illegal trafficking of Indian artifacts

from the Four Corners region.

Her husband, James Redd, 60, who also was charged, committed suicide the next day. Another defendant, Steven Shrader, 56, of Santa Fe, N.M., took his own life a week later.

Jericca Redd was not indicted in the original sweep, but was charged later.



bloomis@sltrib.com

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Federal agents and archaeologists walk up the driveway to the Redd home south of Blanding Tuesday to search for and haul away artifacts.The turning over of artifacts was part of a plea deal with Jeanne Redd and federal prosecutors.

(Al Hartmann/
The Salt Lake Tribune )

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         Jeanne Redd Pleads Guilty to Charges in Utah Artifacts Case; Sentencing Set for September






Crime Blotter
American Chronicle
July 08, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY, UT

—Jeanne Redd, age 59, of Blanding pleaded guilty to seven counts of trafficking in stolen artifacts, theft of government property, and theft of tribal property Monday morning in Salt Lake City in connection with a two-year undercover operation targeting a network of individuals allegedly involved in the sale, purchase, and exchange of artifacts illegally taken from public or Indian lands in the Four Corners region of the country.

Redd was charged in a seven-count indictment unsealed June 10, 2009, along with 23 other individuals included in the case investigated by the BLM and the FBI. U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups presided at today´s change of plea hearing.

Federal prosecutors said they were pleased with the plea agreement reached with Redd. "Mrs. Redd pleaded guilty to every count charged in the indictment returned by the grand jury. We believe today´s plea is an acknowledgment of the evidence in this case and the defendant´s involvement in the conduct charged in the indictment," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen said today.

Redd pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government property, three counts of theft of tribal property and two counts of trafficking in stolen artifacts, as charged in the indictment. She admitted she knew the items taken from the public and Indian lands were valued in excess of $1,000 per item and that the trafficked items had values in excess of $500 per piece.

She faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the two counts of theft of government property; up to five years for each of the three counts of theft of tribal property; and up to two years for the two trafficking in stolen artifacts convictions when she is sentenced Sept. 16, 2009, at 3 p.m. in Judge Waddoups´ courtroom.



As a part of the plea agreement, Redd agreed to forfeit computer equipment and all interest in any archaeological artifacts she currently owns or over which she exercises control. She also consented to give the FBI and BLM full access to search her residence, outbuildings, and vehicle for the purpose of identifying, removing, and preparing for safe transport all archaeological artifacts subject to forfeiture as a part of the agreement. She also agreed to refrain from entry onto tribal lands and federal public lands during any period of supervised release or probation that may be imposed by the court and to refrain from the purchase, sale, exchange, excavation or removal of archaeological resources and to refrain from associating with persons involved in such activities.

Federal prosecutors agreed to recommend that Redd get credit for acceptance of responsibility in the case and will recommend Redd be sentenced at the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range as it is calculated in the case.

A Felony Information was unsealed this morning charging Jerrica Redd, age 37, of Blanding, Jeanne Redd´s daughter, with one count of theft tribal property and two counts of excavating and transportation of archaeological resources from Indian lands. Jericca Redd waived indictment and pleaded guilty this morning to the three charges.

She faces up to five years in prison for the theft of tribal property conviction and up to two years for each count of excavation and transportation of archeological artifacts when she is sentenced by Judge Waddoups Sept. 16, 2009, at 2:30 p.m.

The other defendants in the case are scheduled for a status conference August 18, 2009, at 9 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Samuel Alba.

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                                      Feds say artifact looting case likely to grow






By PAUL FOY and
MIKE STARK
(AP) –
Aug. 5, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY

— Federal authorities in charge of the nation's biggest bust of artifact looting and grave-robbing are targeting more suspects in the lucrative black market of ancient Southwest relics.

Twenty-five people have already been charged and truckloads of artifacts seized after a long-running sting operation involving objects taken from federal and tribal lands in the Four Corners region.

Federal agents tell The Associated Press that they are aggressively pursuing new leads. Larry Shackelford of the Bureau of Land Management says the scrutiny is having a chilling effect on the black market.

An assistant U.S. attorney for Utah says investigators continue to look at everyone from diggers to dealers to high-end collectors.


Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press