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Man accused of threats in artifacts case

Wait a minute! | 4:48 p.m. July 13, 2009

Re: "The death of Redd . . .and . . . Shrader, . . . who also committed suicide . . . increased criticism by some who feel federal officials used heavy-handed tactics . . . ."

I'm sorry, but heavy-handed tactics did not cause these two men to commit suicide. Being caught in illegal activity they are deeply ashamed of may well have contributed, but no amount of light or heavy-handedness can, or should, change the shame they feel.

That's one of those things criminals should think of BEFORE they commit their crimes.

Talk about your ultrahazardous occupations! If I were engaged in work so shameful I'd have to kill myself upon being caught -- I'd find another occupation, QUICK!

And making a threat to someone who's finally doing the RIGHT thing -- cooperating with law enforcement -- is a mafia tactic. That's what breaks down law and order in our country.

This guy needs to go away for a LONG time.

Clem | 4:58 p.m. July 13, 2009

This is disgusting. Since when does the public tolerate the threatening of infants!

TED | 5:00 p.m. July 13, 2009

I think this guy helps make the case supporting the level of force used.

Comments continue below

WOW | 5:09 p.m. July 13, 2009

Really?!? The Feds have nothing better to do than harass the good people of Blanding? Don't they have enough problems of their own? Aren't they busy losing a war and spending more money than they? Doesn't Kim Jong Il, or some other truly bad guy need some attention? Let local officials take care of local problems. FEDS: Leave us alone - or better yet, just leave!!

Anonymous | 5:39 p.m. July 13, 2009

ya blame the gov , not there own guilty . did the gov force them to dig up indian barial grounds

Re: WOW | 6:25 p.m. July 13, 2009

"Let local officials take care of local problems."
Uuhh sorry, these artifacts and native american graves do not belong to the "locals" and thank god they don't because now everyone has seen what kind of a job you do policing yourselves.

Sick of this | 2:46 a.m. July 14, 2009

There is a difference between a cemetary where we now bury our loved ones and where the ancient Anasazi buried theirs. Anasazis did not have cemetaries. When someone died, the body was buried in the trash midden. Has anyone ever seen an official Anasazi cemetary? Very few of the accused (only two have pled guilty so far) did any digging. A large percentage of the town does not dig artifacts and feel those who have done wrong should accept the consequences, however; as human beings, we may not like the action, but we can still care for the person. My heart breaks for the bitterness and hatred I have seen on these posts. What a great example of the human race we are!

To WOW | 5:09 | 7:18 a.m. July 14, 2009

Just for the record -- the Feds are NOT harassing the GOOD people of Blanding. It's only the BAD people that have anything to fear from them.

And if the locals had enforced the law all along, there would be no need for Fed involvement, would there?

Emjay | 8:30 a.m. July 14, 2009

Look, this guy is NOT typical of people in the area. He is completely out of line. So were the Federal authorities for their over zealous enforcement. But, two wrongs don't make a right. This guy should be prosecuted and the Feds should be ashamed and investigated for the EXCESSIVE force used in this case.

ATTITUDE | 8:31 a.m. July 14, 2009

it's all about it as they want the militia when anything goes wrong. you can preach to em forever but they have no respect as this is not surprising in the least. one day i wouldn't be surprised if there is a militia formed by the locals such as the one in colorado where the law officers were injured..then they accuse the feds of heavy handedness with guys like this running around with an attitude that comes A DIME A DOZEN!

since when- | 8:35 a.m. July 14, 2009

Since when has it become illegal to find artifacts and keep them? I have always thought, since the time that I was little, it would be great to find and keep old Indian artifacts. When has it ever been published, and where was it published, that you cannot keep what you find in an old desert? I ask this question sincerely. How would these people who are accused of stealing, even know that they were stealing? It's not like taking flowers off of a clearly marked and well-defined cemetery.

I KNOW I KNOW | 8:37 a.m. July 14, 2009

ANOTHER PILLAR WENT DOWN!!

Anonymous | 9:05 a.m. July 14, 2009

To Wait a minute: I would recommend, not just a long time, I would recommend that Mr. Armstrong, along with the others, be sentenced to life in Prison with NO parole, These charges are serious enough to warrent a sentance life without parole.

xscribe | 9:15 a.m. July 14, 2009

@Since When: It's been a law for a long, long time that you can't dig up an burial ground for artifacts. If you truly didn't know, then you need to get out more. My amazement here is that there has been national news about the cemetary owners in Chicago who dug up graves and then resold the plots. People were outraged. Then we come to the Blanding case, where a lot of people say, What's so wrong about digging up an old Indian grave "for a few old pots." Classic case of disrespect for the Native Americans that's been going on since whites stole this country in the first place.

Robards | 9:17 a.m. July 14, 2009

Hello! These people dog holes to find stuff. That is rather different than happening on an arrowhead on the ground. Furthermore, it has been against the law since around 1907. If the folks in southern Utah are so unhappy with the feds, I suggest they secede and join the Navajo Nation

To since when | 9:36 a.m. July 14, 2009

Perhaps YOU are as clueless as you pretend to be, but the defendants in this case certainly were not.

They knew exactly what they were doing and went to great lengths to hide it from anyone they thought might do something about it.

What they didn't count on was that someone would not be intimidated by the likes of Armstroung and would have the guts to step up and do something about this criminal enterprise they had come to consider as their own private little gold mine.

@since when | 9:37 a.m. July 14, 2009

Unless I am mistaken the laws involved were debated, passed by representatives elected by the citizens and all have been published.

I think we have been taught not to take what is not yours, whether it is someone's horse, their timber or their money in their house. If that is true (and I believe it has to be) tha if you are on land that you do not own, and take things that do not belong to you (without permission), then you are a thief. You should be prepared to suffer the judgement of being a thief whether you shoplift in the local drugstore or on someone else's land. You made the decision to steal, I hope someone didn't force you to do so (Maybe "The devil MADE me do it!)

The lands, like those owned by an Indian Tribe are owned by the entire group for that group's enjoyment and benefit and only the designated person(s) can give permission to drill wells, build roads or other activities.

If the information in the article is true then the individual should be punished for any/all crimes committed. I hope he gets a fair trial!

you know | 9:48 a.m. July 14, 2009

this is really only the tip of the iceberg as far as the treatment of the native american people in this area. the judicial system consistently hands out sentences which are not congruent with those of non-natives. one recent case in particular involved a county worker embezzling funds, if it had been a native american one could only surmise the sentence would have been harsher and more stiffer. the so called good ole boys system of looking the other way has caused this complacent attitude toward the law evidently since the sheriffs own brother is going down. there are just to many lines of disrespect that have been shown to the native people in various venues that it has become an accepted habit. so if you want respect you give respect and i hope the nation is watching this event unfold as it speaks volumns as to the treatment of a people. and none of that relation stuff can cut it as according to the great chief seattle ...nations came and nations rise and fell...so just leave the spiderweb of life alone as that is what your prophet would do! DON'T SHOOT THE LITTLE BIRDS!

Heavy Handed?? | 9:50 a.m. July 14, 2009

With this being ONE of the cases being made public of some of the things going on behind the scenes, it further solidifies the Feds reasoning for going into these homes with the force of guns. They (the Feds) know more about this case than any posting on this board. And after hearing numerous Blanding residents comment on these boards with the question "What is so wrong with keeping and artifact from a grave?" I think we will see more arrests yet to come, of those who are in denial.

Blanding Person | 10:38 a.m. July 14, 2009

Those agents wouldn't show up to the door had the people not broken the law. COmplaining about the tactics is just diverting attention from the law breaking.

A quote from the movie Liar Lair that is my favorite. A serial criminal calls his lawyer and the lawyer finally says, "Stop Breaking The Law!"

Sterling | 11:00 a.m. July 14, 2009

With the Feds. spending all their time driving back and forth to Blanding, will they EVER have any time to enforce the laws relating to illegal immigration, or is it just more "politically correct" to enforce artifact laws?

CB | 11:35 a.m. July 14, 2009

Anyway you look at it there is 'blood money' involved. Too bad. Can't even pick up an Eagle feathers without being fined.
If some of those Indians were not buried in the ground but atop stands, wouldn't their bones and accoutrements be lying all over the place? And if they have been scattered by four legged animals, who is to know even what they were, let alone where they came from? I pick up pennies. Is that a crime?

alright | 1:00 p.m. July 14, 2009

the stuff is getting pretty deep and thick in here , it is time to break out the ol' back hoe

To CB | 1:06 p.m. July 14, 2009

Only if they are Indian head pennies.

check that look out | 2:18 p.m. July 14, 2009

that's the one they always give to the native whenever he brings something up which throws a wrench into their system...it's called shoot the messenger look!!

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