Another defendant in artifact theft found dead
Monday, June 22, 2009
Filed Under:
Environment
|
Law
A second defendant in the Indian artifact theft case was found dead last week.
Steven L. Shrader lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and was one of 24 people charged in connection with the theft and sale of Indian artifacts. He was found dead of an apparent suicide in Shabbona, Illinois.
Another defendant, James Redd of Utah, was found dead a day after
Interior Secretary Ken
Salazar announced the indictments on June 10. Republicans in Utah and residents of the town where most of the defendants live have criticized the federal government for its handling of the case.
Some
Navajo Nation members who live in the area say non-Indians are using the case to draw suspicion towards Native people. “I hear people whispering in the grocery store now, saying bad things about Native Americans,” Marrietta Scott told The New York Times. ‘It’s all because of you.’ They’re blaming us.”
Redd was a doctor who attended many Native patients, a friend said. But Navajos said relations with non-Indians aren't strong.
"There’s a lot of prejudice," Aaron Keith said. "I don’t see what they’re complaining about with the handcuffs and everything," he said of the case. "That’s what happens when you get arrested."
Get the Story:
Santa Fe man linked to artifacts investigation found dead
(AP 6/19)
Defendant in Artifacts Case Is Found Dead (The Albuquerque Journal 6/20)
Another suicide in American Indian artifacts looting case (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/20)
Latest court papers reveal grisly side of artifact digging (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/20)
Utah Town Unsettled by Doctor’s Suicide and an Inquiry on Indian Artifact Looting (The New York Times 6/21)
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:
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)
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