Federal Agents Bust Ring of Antiquity Thieves Looting American Indian Sites for Priceless Treasures

Indictments in an unprecedented two-year undercover operation led by agents from Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the FBI were announced at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Salt Lake City, Utah on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. Law officers from BLM, FBI, and U.S. Marshals, joined by local and state law enforcement partners, began arresting 23 individuals and executing a dozen search warrants in four states, rounding up what prosecutors called a ring of archeological grave robbers in the nation's largest investigation of archaeological and cultural artifact thefts. Federal agents have identified more than 250 artifacts stolen by the ring, with an estimate value exceeding $335,000, including decorated Anasazi pottery, burial and ceremonial masks, a buffalo headdress, and ancient sandals known to be associated with Native American burials.

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    The indictments were announced by Secretary Salazar and a team from the Department of Justice and the FBI. The ring is charged with multiple counts of violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act as well as theft of government property, depredation of government property, and theft of Indian tribal property. Left to right, Utah FBI Field Office Special Agent in Charge Timothy Fuhrman, U.S. Attorney in Utah, Brett Tolman and Secretary Salazar. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    The press conference was held at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah. Behind Secretary Salazar are left to right, U.S. Attorney in Utah, Brett Tolman, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs, Larry Echo Hawk and Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    The artifacts, similar to these on display, came primarily from the Four Corners region. The looting of the archeological sites also means the permanent loss of significant amounts of archeological, cultural and historical information because the artifacts can not now be identified in their in-situ context. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    Estimated total value of the stolen antiquities exceeds $335,000, including decorated Anasazi pottery similar to this one on display at the press conference. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    Artifacts similar to the ones stolen were on display at the press conference. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act prohibits the unauthorized excavation and removal of archaeological resources on federal lands as well as the unlawful sale, purchase, or exchange of such resources. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    ”Today's action should give American Indians and Alaska Natives assurance that the Obama Administration is serious about preserving and protecting their cultural property,” said Interior Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk. Left to right are Utah FBI Field Office Special Agent in Charge Timothy Fuhrman, U.S. Attorney in Utah, Brett Tolman, Secretary Salazar and Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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    ”Let this case serve notice to anyone who is considering breaking these laws and trampling our nation's cultural heritage that the BLM, the Department of Justice, and the federal government will track you down and bring you to justice,” said Interior Secretary Salazar. Left to right are Interior Assistant Secretary-Indian Affairs Larry Echo Hawk and Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden. [Photo Credit: Tami A. Heilemann DOI]

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