Black Mesa from Kayenta, Arizona
Via Paul Barford, I see that Jeanne Redd, one of the 24 people charged last month with looting antiquities in southern Utah, has pleaded guilty. Her daughter, who was not among the original 24 but was charged later as a result of evidence acquired by searching the Redd house, also pleaded guilty. They will not be sentenced until September, but the assistant US attorney has said she will recommend that they not receive the maximum penalty. This is presumably part of a deal under which the Redds will assist the authorities with information in the other cases in exchange for more lenient sentences.
Dinosaurs in Front of Sinclair Station, Blanding, Utah
This is the first plea bargain in this matter, and it’s a pretty significant one. The Redds are very prominent citizens of Blanding, and their cooperation could well encourage other defendants to arrange their own plea deals rather than resist the charges to the end. One factor that presumably played a role in the Redds’ decision, although it’s difficult to say at this point exactly what that role would have been, is the suicide of Jeanne Redd’s husband James, who was also among the 24 initially charged, shortly after the indictments were issued. Another suspect has since committed suicide as well.
Cliff Dwelling in Alcove in Butler Wash near Blanding, Utah
The news in this affair so far has been pretty grim, what with the suicides and all, but this plea bargain is a welcome development that may put things on a more productive path. At least we can hope so.
Sign Warning Visitors to Keep Off Wall at Edge of the Cedars in Blanding, Utah
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