A former curator for the Yakama Nation Museum pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing artifacts from the Washington tribe.
Marilyn Skahan-Malatare, 57, and her 29-year-old daughter admitted to takingnearly $160,000 in Indian artifacts from the museum over a six-month period. Malatare faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. and her daughter faces five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The exact count of items that were taken is not known because the museum didn't keep an inventory. But men's and women's beaded bags, men's vests, a cradle cover and a rifle scabbard were among those stolen.
Sentencing is set for June 5.
Get the Story:Museum curator faces jail (The Yakima Herald-Republic 4/9)
