For Immediate Release: May 20,2004
 Contact: Jeff Dorscherner DOJ 303-454-0243
Susan Thomas BLM 970-882-5622
Hillerie C. Patton BLM 303-239-3671

 
Four Corners United States Attorneys offer amnesty for return of illegally possessed Indian Artifacts

DENVER - John Suthers, United States Attorney for the District of Colorado, announced today that he, in conjunction with the United States Attorneys for the Districts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, have agreed not to prosecute anyone who turns in illegally possessed Indian tribal cultural patrimony items during an amnesty period of approximately 3 ½ months. Illegally possessed items, which are generally ancient Native American artifacts, can be turned in to the curator of the Bureau of Land
Management's, Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado. Anyone with questions regarding whether they possess an item that should be turned in should call 1-800-242-ARPA (2772).

The amnesty offer ends on September 4, 2004. After the amnesty period, authorities will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who have taken cultural patrimony objects from Indian tribes and have not returned them. The Archaeological Protection Act of 1979 outlaws the excavation, removal, damage or defacing of any archaeological resource located on public or Indian lands unless such activity is pursuant to a permit. The Act also outlaws the trafficking and purchase of archaeological artifacts wrongfully removed. The penalties for violating this Act are up to 2 years in federal prison and/or a fine of $250,000 (if
the item removed is valued at over $500), and up to 5 years in prison for a second conviction.

"I would like to encourage people to enjoy but respect our public and tribal lands," United States Attorney John Suthers said. "If
you come across an archeological site or cultural object on Federal or tribal lands, notify the appropriate agency or tribal authority so these sites and objects can be protected. If you already possess a patrimonial object, please turn it in. If you aren't certain, please call the 800 number to determine if you are in compliance with the law."

- BLM -