Agents searched New Mexico art dealer's home
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Filed Under:
Environment
|
Law
An art dealer in Santa Fe, New Mexico, may be the next target in the
Interior Department's investigation into stolen Indian artifacts.
Federal agents raided the home of Forrest Fenn on June 10, the same day
Secretary Ken
Salazar announced the indictments of 24 people. It's not clear whether Fenn has been charged with any crimes.
But an undercover informant who visited Fenn's home saw items that were potentially illegal. They included eagle feathers and artifacts taken from federal land.
"You don't have to prove anything, just keep your mouth closed," Fenn reportedly told the informant, according to an affidavit quoted by The Santa Fe New Mexican.
The informant was described as a "major dealer of archaeological artifacts" -- similar to the one in the case that Salazar announced in Utah.
Get the Story:
Document details Fenn inquiry
(The Santa Fe New Mexican 6/17)
Relevant Documents:
DOI
Press Release: Federal Agents Bust Ring of Antiquity Thieves Looting American
Indian Sites for Priceless Treasures |
DOJ
Press Release: Arrests Made in Operation Targeting Network Selling Stolen Native
American Artifacts |
Remarks
of Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden at a Press Conference
Related Stories:
Utah town upset over Indian artifact theft case
(6/17)
Utah GOP upset with
Indian artifact theft case (6/15)
Tribes
support prosecution of artifact theft case (6/12)
Defendant in DOI artifact theft case found dead
(6/12)
Two dozen indicted for theft of
Indian artifacts (6/11)
Salazar, EchoHawk
in Utah for press conference (6/10)
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