James Redd, one of 24 people indicted in connection with the theft of Indian artifacts, was found dead at his home in Utah on Thursday.

Redd had been charged with one felony count of theft of Indian tribal property. Along with his wife and 22 other people, he was accused of stealing artifacts from public and Indian lands and selling them.

The case was big enough for the Obama administration to hold a press conference to announce the charges on Wednesday. But residents of a town where many of the defendants live are outraged over the federal government's intent on prosecuting people who steal Indian artifacts.

"The federal government has so many things to worry about right now," Holly Shumway, a resident of Blanding, told The Salt Lake City Deseret News. "Our economy is in a crisis, and our government is in such a huge slump right now. And this is what they choose to spend their money on right now — not drug dealers, not gang members, not people who are actually hurting their communities."

Get the Story:
Artifact theft suspect found dead near Blanding (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/12)
Anti-fed fury sweeps through Blanding after artifact sting (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/12)
Residents decry artifact-theft indictments (The Salt Lake City Deseret News 6/12)
Many artifacts remain in alleged looters' custody (The Salt Lake Tribune 6/12)

Relevant Documents:
DOI Press Release: Federal Agents Bust Ring of Antiquity Thieves Looting American Indian Sites for Priceless Treasures | DOJ Press Release: Arrests Made in Operation Targeting Network Selling Stolen Native American Artifacts | Remarks of Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden at a Press Conference

Related Stories:
Two dozen indicted for theft of Indian artifacts (6/11)
Salazar, EchoHawk in Utah for press conference (6/10)