Redd's wife, Jeanne, met several times with the dealer to discuss selling or trading artifacts, according to a search warrant affidavit unsealed Tuesday. The affidavit alleges that Jeanne Redd identified an ax, necklace and frame in her extensive collection of Native American artifacts as coming from federal land. In March 2008, Redd and her husband allegedly showed the dealer a pendant they said they dug up on tribal territory in Arizona.
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Utah senator confronts attorney general on tactics used in artifact raids
Sen. Orrin Hatch complains to Atty. Gen. Eric Holder about the number of agents sent and the way in which the operation was announced.
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James Redd had faced one count of theft of Indian tribal property; his wife faces two.
The dealer spent $335,000 buying artifacts from the defendants, including $10,200 paid to Tad Kreth, 30, according to another affidavit. During a recorded conversation last year, Kreth told the dealer that his grandmother was worried he would get caught. Kreth tried to calm her fears.
"Kreth said he told her that he had dealt with the source for a while now and everything had been good," the affidavit states, "and she doesn't need to worry about him going to jail."
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nicholas.riccardi@latimes.com
