RSSUtah man inks diversion deal in artifacts case
SALT LAKE CITY — Federal prosecutors in Utah have agreed to delay prosecuting an 80-year-old Blanding man on charges of theft and trafficking of American Indian artifacts for one year.
Harold Lyman was among two dozen people indicted in Utah, New Mexico and Colorado in 2009 for artifacts looting and trafficking.
Prosecutors say Lyman sold a prehistoric pipe bowl stolen from public lands to an undercover informant for $1,000.
U.S. District Court papers filed in Salt Lake City on Thursday show Lyman has signed a diversion agreement that could result in a dismissal of his case.
A diversion is similar to a pre-trial probationary period.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard McKelvie says the diversion is appropriate given Lyman’s personal circumstances.
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