Deal possible for man accused of threatening source in artifacts case

Attorneys in a case involving a Blanding man accused of threatening a federal informant he believes participated in an archeological artifacts sting may have agreed on a plea bargain.

A hearing for Charles Denton Armstrong, 44, was set for Friday, but Armstrong's attorneys filed a motion Wednesday indicating a "tentative settlement" had been reached.

Armstrong was indicted in July after he was accused of threatening someone as retaliation for being an informant in the large-scale, 2 1/2-year sting that led to the indictment of 26 individuals, including James Redd, Armstrong's doctor. After James Redd and his wife Jeanne Redd were indicted, James Redd committed suicide.

According to a complaint filed against Armstrong in July, investigators were able to develop "a significant confidential source" — known as "the Source" — that aided them in their investigation of those believed to be digging for artifacts on federal land. Prosecutors said this source was able to purchase 256 archeological artifacts and capture most of the transactions on tape.

Following the death of James Redd, Armstrong contacted a "confidential witness" for the state and said he knew who the source was and that he was going "to take care of him," as he blamed the source for the death of James Redd, the prosecutors said.

Following Armstrong's claim, a federal officer went to interview Armstrong, who said he had planned to tie the source to a tree and beat him with a stick, the complaint states. He then "clarified" that when he said "a stick," he meant a baseball bat. He allegedly said he didn't want to kill the source, just "hurt him real bad."

Federal agents found the source's name handwritten on a note in Armstrong's car. The ensuing indictment for threatening an informant as retaliation carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

— Emiley Morgan