Federal prosecutors say two of the defendants in the Indian artifact theft case may have been involved in a Ponzi scheme.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports on a request to expand the search of items seized from the home of James and Jeanne Redd. Prosecutors say information shows the couple might have been "engaged in a fraudulent scheme to obtain money from a multilevel marketing company."

The Redds were among 24 people charged in connection with the theft and sale of Indian artifacts. A day after Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the indictments on June 10, James Redd committed suicide.

Get the Story:
Feds link artifact suspects to Ponzi scam (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/25)

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:
Another defendant in artifact theft found dead (6/22)
Letter: GOP hypocrisy on artifact theft case (6/22)
Dorgan won't investigate artifact theft case (6/19)
Editorial: Pandering in Utah artifact theft case (6/18)
Attorney General defends Indian artifact case (6/18)
Art dealer denies wrongdoing after artifact raid (6/18)
Utah town upset over Indian artifact theft case (6/17)
Column: 'Overkill' in Indian artifact theft case (6/17)
Agents searched New Mexico art dealer's home (6/17)
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)