Three more Utahns plead guilty in artefacts theft case

Another three Southern Utah men accused after a lengthy federal crackdown on theft and trafficking of American Indian relics in the Four Corners area have admitted selling ancient artefacts taken from public land and at a hearing in Moab on Friday pleaded guilty to the charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Samuel Alba rather than face trial.

Nick Laws and Dale Lyman each pleaded guilty to one count of violating federal laws aimed at protecting artifacts on public and tribal lands. Aubry Patterson pleaded guilty to trafficking in stolen artifacts and theft of government property.

Laws, 31, faces a potential penalty of two years in prison. He was scheduled to be sentenced July 12 in Salt Lake City.

Patterson, 57, pleaded guilty to two trafficking charges with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. He was scheduled for sentencing July 7.

Lyman, 76, who pleaded guilty to a single felony, was scheduled for sentencing July 6.

In taped conversations with Ted Gardiner working as an undercover 'source' for federal authorities:

Patterson admitted to digging up artifacts on federal land and bragged that rangers had tried to unsuccessfully catch him, according to court documents. In a plea agreement Friday, Patterson -- initially charged with six felonies -- admitted he dug up an Abajo bowl worth more than $1,000 from U.S. Bureau of Land Management Land and sold it to the undercover source in 2007. He faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

Lyman admitted in his plea deal that he sold a Clovis point from BLM land. Gardiner bought the item for $1,200, according to court documents. He also told the operative about trips he'd take to dig up artifacts on public land, including one where he hiked in 10 miles after spotting a set of ruins from an airplane.

Laws admitted to taking an item called a "twin effigy" from BLM land and selling it to the operative. It was worth more than $500, court papers said. He and Lyman each face up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

All three will have to give up their artifact collections, according to the plea deal. Earlier this month, federal agents, curators and archaeologists went to Blanding to collect relics the three defendants surrendered after talking with their lawyers.

Mike Stark (The Associated Press) Three more Utahns plead guilty in artifacts case
23/4/10

Patty Henetz: 'Three more defendants plead guilty in artifacts-trafficking case', Salt Lake Tribune 23/4/10

Developments so far:
Jeanne Redd, Blanding [pleaded guilty, Sentenced to probation],
Jericca Redd, Blanding [pleaded guilty, Sentenced to probation].
Dale Lyman, Blanding [pleaded guilty awaiting sentencing July 6]
Brent Bullock, Moab [pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing July 7].
Aubry Patterson, Blanding [pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing July 7]
Tammy Shumway, Moab [pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing July 7].
Nick Laws, Blanding [pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing July 12]
James Redd, Blanding [deceased]
Steven Shrader, New Mexico [deceased]

Charles Denton Armstrong, Blanding [Sentenced to prison for threatening undercover operative].