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Jeanne Redd Pleads Guilty to Charges in Utah Artifacts Case; Sentencing Set for September
Daughter Also Charged With Three Counts in Felony Information Unsealed Today; Enters Guilty Pleas Today
SALT LAKE CITY, UT—Jeanne Redd, age 59, of Blanding pleaded guilty to seven counts of trafficking in stolen artifacts, theft of government property, and theft of tribal property Monday morning in Salt Lake City in connection with a two-year undercover operation targeting a network of individuals allegedly involved in the sale, purchase, and exchange of artifacts illegally taken from public or Indian lands in the Four Corners region of the country.
Redd was charged in a seven-count indictment unsealed June 10, 2009, along with 23 other individuals included in the case investigated by the BLM and the FBI. U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups presided at today’s change of plea hearing.
Federal prosecutors said they were pleased with the plea agreement reached with Redd. “Mrs. Redd pleaded guilty to every count charged in the indictment returned by the grand jury. We believe today’s plea is an acknowledgment of the evidence in this case and the defendant’s involvement in the conduct charged in the indictment,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen said today.
Redd pleaded guilty to two counts of theft of government property, three counts of theft of tribal property and two counts of trafficking in stolen artifacts, as charged in the indictment. She admitted she knew the items taken from the public and Indian lands were valued in excess of $1,000 per item and that the trafficked items had values in excess of $500 per piece.
She faces up to 10 years in prison for each of the two counts of theft of government property; up to five years for each of the three counts of theft of tribal property; and up to two years for the two trafficking in stolen artifacts convictions when she is sentenced Sept. 16, 2009, at 3 p.m. in Judge Waddoups’ courtroom.
As a part of the plea agreement, Redd agreed to forfeit computer equipment and all interest in any archaeological artifacts she currently owns or over which she exercises control. She also consented to give the FBI and BLM full access to search her residence, outbuildings, and vehicle for the purpose of identifying, removing, and preparing for safe transport all archaeological artifacts subject to forfeiture as a part of the agreement. She also agreed to refrain from entry onto tribal lands and federal public lands during any period of supervised release or probation that may be imposed by the court and to refrain from the purchase, sale, exchange, excavation or removal of archaeological resources and to refrain from associating with persons involved in such activities.
Federal prosecutors agreed to recommend that Redd get credit for acceptance of responsibility in the case and will recommend Redd be sentenced at the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range as it is calculated in the case.
A Felony Information was unsealed this morning charging Jerrica Redd, age 37, of Blanding, Jeanne Redd’s daughter, with one count of theft tribal property and two counts of excavating and transportation of archaeological resources from Indian lands. Jericca Redd waived indictment and pleaded guilty this morning to the three charges.
She faces up to five years in prison for the theft of tribal property conviction and up to two years for each count of excavation and transportation of archeological artifacts when she is sentenced by Judge Waddoups Sept. 16, 2009, at 2:30 p.m.
The other defendants in the case are scheduled for a status conference August 18, 2009, at 9 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Samuel Alba.
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