Colorado couple charged in artifacts case lost everything, attorney says

SALT LAKE CITY — When 76-year-old Carl Lavern Crites stood before U.S. District Judge Dee Benson Thursday, he stood as a man stripped of nearly everything.

"Mr. Crites himself has lost his collection," defense attorney Wally Bugden said. "He lost his marriage. It's not too much to say he's lost his health."

Crites, a prolific artifacts collector of Native American artifacts, was sentenced to three years probation, with credit for the two years he's spent awaiting trial in his native Colorado. The last year he will serve unsupervised, but he is not to enter government property for any reason other than travel.

"You seem to be a hardworking, patriotic American in many ways," Benson said. "This case has obviously had a catastrophic effect on your life."

Crites previously pleaded guilty to theft of government property, trafficking in stolen artifacts and depredation of government property. Additional charges of one count each of stealing an archeological artifact and transporting an archeological artifact were dismissed.

He admitted to buying a pair of basket-maker sandals from an undercover federal informant. He also admitted to accompanying others, including a confidential government informant, to public land in San Juan County, where they used a shovel to unearth human remains, pottery shards and a knife without a federal permit in September 2008.

"He certainly understands now — he has a better understanding of how hurtful this is to the Native American people," Bugden said. "He understands he was basically trespassing on sacred ground."

Crites and his wife, Marie, 70, were indicted with 23 others in the 2009 government crackdown on those who deal in Native American artifacts.

As part of his plea agreement, Vern Crites forfeited a collection of artifacts believed to contain as many as 5,000 pieces, worth around $500,000, Bugden said. Now, he is "essentially homeless" and dependent on social security.

"I think Mr. Crites feels the full brunt of the law," Bugden said.

Bugden told Benson that the bulk of Vern Crites' artifacts were found on private property owned by ranchers and farmers that Vern Crites met as a propane supplier. Many were excavated with the property owner's permission.

Prosecutor Richard McKelvie said the government disputes that claim, but that some of the items are being reviewed.