Despite the deaths of two accused men and the death of the undercover operative at the heart of the case, charges are moving forward in cases related to the June 10, 2009 antiquities raids in Blanding.

In the past week, federal agents returned to Blanding to confiscate a host of additional materials held by a number of defendants in the cases. This time, the materials were surrendered with the prior knowledge of the accused.

Agents seized the collections of four Blanding men who have been accused of illegal artifacts trafficking, including Dale Lyman, Ray Lyman, Aubry Patterson and Nick Laws.

Laws, Patterson and Dale Lyman are scheduled for plea-change hearings on April 23 before Federal Judge Samuel Alba in Moab.

Ray Lyman is scheduled for a May 19 trial before Federal Judge Dee Benson in Salt Lake City.

In other developments, Federal Judge Ted Stewart ruled that statements made by defendant David Lacy when he was arrested on June 10 are admissible in court. Lacy had argued that he had not been read his Miranda rights that give him the right to remain silent before he visited with law enforcement officials.

The cases against 24 separate defendants appear to be making their way through the federal legal system.

The process was in question after the March 1 death of Ted Gardiner, “The Source” whose undercover recordings were at the heart of the case.

In September, 2009, Jeanne Redd and Jericca Redd pleaded guilty to several counts. They were fined and placed on probation. In addition, their collections of antiquities were seized.

Two men who were accused committed suicide shortly after the June 10 raids. They are James Redd and Steven Shrader.