A self-described "medicine man" from Utah is claiming to be Seminole but federal authorities say he is not a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida or any federally recognized tribe. James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney runs the Oklevueha Native American Church. He says any practitioner -- Indian or non-Indian -- is allowed to use peyote. Mooney wants the government to return 15,000 peyote buttons seized from his home. But the U.S. Attorney's Office in Utah says it won't return them because Mooney is not allowed to possess peyote. Get the Story:
Mooney still seeking return of peyote (The Provo Daily Herald 8/1) Utah Supreme Court Decision:
State of Utah v. Mooney (June 22, 2004) Related Stories:
Self-described medicine man seeks return of peyote (7/29)
Editorial: Supreme Court opens peyote to non-Indians (2/27)
U.S. Attorney drops peyote charges against couple (2/23)
Bill to limit peyote to tribal members advances (2/8)
White 'wanna-be' Indians target of peyote bill (01/19)
Plea deal reached for peyote case in Utah (12/16)
Utah 'medicine man' won't be released from jail (06/29)
Utah 'medicine man' and wife called drug dealers (6/27)
'Medicine man' arrested, charged in peyote flap (6/24)
'Medicine man' claimed Indian heritage in his 40s (05/23)
Peyote seized from 'medicine man' in federal custody (05/06)
Utah man sues county for return of seized peyote (4/28)
Man in peyote case accuses county of wrongdoing (3/8)
State Lawyer: Misinformation in non-Indian peyote case
U.S. may prosecute Native American Church figure (08/31)
Non-Indian peyote case could head to Supreme Court (08/16)
Ruling allows non-Indians to use peyote in Utah (06/23)
Utah Supreme Court hears arguments in peyote case (11/5)
Utah 'medicine' man at center of court battles (08/26)