A self-proclaimed "medicine man" and his wife pleaded guilty on Friday to a host of drug charges after being arrested for possession and distribution of peyote.
James "Flaming Eagle" Mooney, 61, and his wife Linda, 51, claim to belong to the Native American Church. But neither are members of federally recognized tribes or bona-fide members of the church, federal prosecutors said.
"Basically, they were drug dealers," assistant U.S. attorney Richard Lambert told the Associated Press.
Peyote is a sacrament of the Native American Church. It is considered an illegal drug but federal law allows members of the church to use it for ceremonies.
Get the Story:Couple plead not guilty to peyote charges (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/25)
Couple pleads not guilty to peyote use in religious rites (AP 6/25)
Mooney Hearing (The Provo Daily Herald 6/25) Peyote Decision:
State of Utah v. Mooney (June 22, 2004) (7/12) Relevant Links:
Utah Native American Church - http://www.utah-nac.org Related Stories:
'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)
Supreme Court takes drug case tied to peyote use (04/19)
Supreme Court reviews case compared to peyote (04/14)
Religious group wins case tied to peyote use (11/16)
Navajo Nation peyote, meth legislation on hold (11/11)
Navajo bill clarifies use of peyote on reservation (10/12)
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)
Peyote limited to recognized U.S. Natives (5/7)
Peyote against tea dispute heats up (1/24)
Case compared to Native American Church (10/30)
Peyote use disputed in Utah (5/18)
Man prevented from using peyote (5/10)
'Medicine man' settles lawsuit (3/30)
Peyote: For Indians Only? (1/8)
Peyote raid raises questions (7/17)
The Peyote Exemption (7/17)
Police seize peyote (7/12)