The attorney for a New Mexico art dealer says federal agents spent eight hours searching the home of his client and only left with three items.

Forrest Fenn's home was raided on June 10, the same day Secretary Ken Salazar announced the indictments of 24 people in connection with the theft and sale of Indian artifacts. Fenn cooperated with the search and denies any wrongdoing.

"The vast majority of items described as questionable were examined carefully and left at Forrest's home — the Hopi masks, the feathered bonnets, the ax handles," attorney Peter Schoenburg told The Santa Fe New Mexican. "They took expert archaeologists along with them and they spent eight hours and they left without any of that stuff. ... All of the insinuations in the warrant were apparently overblown."

Fenn has not been charged so far with any crimes. The Interior Department has come under fire for the June 10 raids and arrests in Utah.

Get the Story:
Attorney: Feds took three items from Fenn (The Santa Fe New Mexican 6/18)
Lawyer Says Art Dealer Did Nothing Wrong (The Albuquerque Journal 6/18)

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

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