Comments about ‘Artifact thefts targeted by federal officials’

even the locals have repented there as they now realize the importance of the area. they have even yanked a few chains in correcting the behavior the people are more conscious of what is going on down there. it is time for all to get educated about the destruction being done to such magnifigant sites which won't be around very much longer if allowed to be mistreated ...so here's to you local people ..you are really the stewards for the rest of america!!

Feds target the U.S. citizens for theft.

There are miles and miles or land that have not even been touched by anyone in that area. You people in the city think you know everthing and try to control peoples lives. These artifacts would lay barried forever and people would never have the chance to understand or view them if people did not find them. If you knew the area you would know what you are talking about. Seeing as you dont, maybe you should look at all the crime, rape, drugs and other problems around you in the city and put our tax dollars to use on fixing real problems. I cant believe the FBI showed up with gains to get these people, they would do less to a murderer. Get your facts and worry about yourself.

When will people in the city worry about themselves and their own problems like drugs, murder, ect... I think its ridiculous the FBI had to bring down 100 men with guns to search the homes of these people for some pottery. They would do much less dealing with drug traffickers or murderers. Stop trying to tell others what to do and worry about the problems in your backyard. Since you dont know the area you have no credibility.

i think they should leave all artifacts lay where they are so the dust will eventually cover them up then they will be gone forever.

Okay, its a crime to steal stuff off public land.

However, we have tens of thousands of people here in UTAH (and many millions nationwide) who have broken federal laws prohibiting entering the U.S. without permission. Worse, a number of these illegal aliens are dealing drugs, and engaged in violent crimes.

Why are the FBI and the (chronically grandstanding) U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman wasting time on folks picking up arrowheads in the middle of nowhere while illegal alien criminals are roaming our streets committing new crimes.

WHO SETS THE PRIORITIES?

Bravo to the law enforcement officers for their hard work. It seems that those arrested were treated as criminals because they were enganged in criminal activity. Robbing archaeological sites on federal land is just as much of a crime as drug dealing, bank robbery and other crimes.

I grew up on a ranch in the southwest and am too familiar with rifle-bearing pothunters who would desecrate sites with backhoes, taking what they wanted and destroying the rest, including graves. This was done all in the name of profit, and folks would trespass on private property and federal lands to do it. Pothunting is not a passive hobby; it is a serious blackmarket business that robs us of our shared national heritage.

I would be willing to bet that at least 75% of the residents in the four corners have some sort of artifact in their home.... weather it be an arrow head or a big hunk of pottery, thats just how it is down here. So untill you plan on searching every home down here stay in the city where all the drama and problems should stay.

After living in Moab and Monticello and doing business in Blanding for many years I know very well the "we're above the law" attitude that infects this part of Utah and their county commissioners. The same family names Redd and Shumway keep coming up in the news - over and over. How about the slaughter of the deer outside of Monticello or Earl (Mnt. Dew) Shumways looting of Indian graves in 1995 or James & Jeanne Redd looting Anasazi grave.

How about we dig up some of the old Mormon pioneers graves in southern Utah to get some good stuff to sell?

I understand the concern over pot hunters and desecrating/destroying Indian burial sites and other places of archeological significance, but I think criminalizing the collecting of points and arrowheads broken or whole, randomly found in the wilderness in non-archeological significant sites is absurd. Many of these articles would be forever lost and completely unknown to humanity if they are not picked up by the random hiker or hunter lucky enough to come across them in their travels.

look how arrogant some of these comments are ..that explains the attitude and stewardship these people think they have over this area. I personally know many of these people who so readily snitch another out or have to know the latest scandal even amongst their own members of the predominant religion. Well if you talk the talk , you better walk the walk and don't try to hide behind other's sins..you go to church every darn wk so you don't pay the lord your tigte with ill gotten money just impress your neighbors either.Obey the law of the land because the city folk do!

Why do so many Utahan seem not to understand English? What part of "public" in public lands don't you understand?

Using the values of rural Utah if you park your car and leave it, they have a right to steal it. This makes one wonder where they were taught values!

In about 300 hundred years the next inhabitants will be digging up your trash (plastic bags, plastic bottles, glassware, Xbox), home, and graves. What comes around goes around.

how not one native american is on that list ...we wouldn't dig up Brigham Young's grave nor desecrate the sacred temple yet these people do! How arrogant and I hope your church leaders are watching! Because as you guys have been hammering the natives down there with the law...it's your turn to dance to the tune! Obey the law of the land and follow the command! What don't you understand? It has nothing to do with wheter one is city folk or hill billie folk. Just be the right folk! Notice the names and that says alot about the arrogance these folk hold as if they have the god given right to go ahead and break the law. The Redds have a history of this and need to do the 90% of any time given! And you school teachers need to be kicked out as i don't want no felons around my kids!! Get er done!

i think they desrve evry charge they get they went to sacred grounds and disturbed them. how wuld u like it if someone bothered the place were u lay? its cool to see ancient stuff but if u dnt have permission dnt touch em its like the temples in mexico they r sacred and we dnt like pple messin with em, thk u for sum justice for the pple who R.I.P. have sum respect

law enforcement officers living in Blanding on every block , how come they never noticed? Oh, I know just look at the last names. Special strokes for Special folks , damn the country , damn the religion, damn the native beliefs who have lived there longer yet don't do this autrocity. As far as the 75% , well buddy that is still how many are breaking the law and still try to say they obey the law of the land as taught by their leaders. Some of these people are leaders themselves in the field of medicine , education who should lose those positions for sure. Many take their last names to seriously as if that is going to get them in heaven. A yyyyeeeeehaaaaawwww! Dueling banjos!

I live in the Four Corners area of Utah. Everyone I know if VERY respectful of the ruins and artifacts in the area. In fact, I know people who know many archeological sites that they will not reveal to anyone because they don't want damage done to the sites.

Yes, there are many that have artifacts in their homes, but the vast majority of these have been obtained on their own private property. You need to understand that this area has THOUSANDS of ancient ruins. They are literally everywhere. A great many of these sites exist on private property.

Most people in the Four Corners area are EXTREMELY protective of this area and the natural and historic treasures that are here. Unfortunately, a few people may have betrayed the trust and looted these sites. THAT IS A CRIME. If these people are guilty they should be prosecuted. that remains to be seen. LET'S WAIT AND SEE HOW EVERYTHING PLAYS OUT.

Many found arrowheads on their own farms. Others found them on public lands years ago prior to laws and social stigma. Those charged here are alleged to have been creating a wake of theft and destruction on public lands. If so, they should be convicted.

It's amazing that people have such little respect. These people didn't take just arrowheads or pieces of pottery. These people raided burial grounds! How would you feel if someone dug up the grave of your family members and stole their wedding bands, necklaces or other meaningful pieces of jewelry? How would you feel if someone scattered your relatives bones? Come on people!

Yes, there are several local families who have been doing this for generations
but they're breaking the law. Let's not forget that. Small town politics and name dropping isn't going to work this time.

This local is very pleased with todays outcome and will be very interested to see what happens next.

If proven, these acts are dispicable.

But these are only a fraction of the people in San Juan County. The vast majority of San Juan's people are law abiding citizens. The "Redd" family has thousands of members of various lines so we can't blame it on a family or two. We also don't know the religion of any of these folks or whether they go to church or not. I'll judge people by their actions--not their geography, surname or religion.