Another settlement is expected in the federal antiquities cases related to the June, 2009 raids in Blanding. A trial was expected to begin on September 27 for Carl “Vern” Crites, age 75 of Durango, CO. However, court documents were filed that indicate that charges will be settled before they are brought to trial.

As a longtime antiquities dealer, Crites was considered one of the leading characters in the case. He gave up his massive collection of artifacts to federal agents in January, 2010.

The plea agreement is expected to include the charges against Crites, his wife Marie Virginia Crites and Richard Bourret. They are all Durango residents.

More than two dozen people faced federal charges related to digging up, buying and selling Native American antiquities. The June, 2009 raids triggered the suicides of three people, including two defendants.

In recent months, a host of the defendants have reached settlement agreements with federal prosecutors. The settlements have included the forfeiting of personal antiquity collections, fines, restrictions from accessing public lands and probation. To date, no one who faced antiquities charges has been sentenced to prison terms.