I’m just wondering, did the FBI have a search warrant and did they have “probable cause”? The FBI should have been required to name SPECIFICALLY what they were looking for and what crime was allegedly committed with respect to the named item or items. This could be just another instance of bad reporting, but the story makes it sound like the FBI went on a fishing expedition based on hearsay.
The fellow has been collecting artifacts for 75 years. He shows people his collection.
Federal rules and international treaties have mad such collecting pretty much illegal in the last 30 years.
How much would it take to convince a judge? “I saw in his home numerous items that appeared to be pre-columbian pottery and others that contained what were clearly feathers of raptors that are illegal for someone who is not a native american to possess without the proper documentation.
I did not see any documentation.”
I think that is all that would be needed for a warrant. Much law is now written that you have to prove your innocence.
You have to wonder if the gentleman may have contacted a local University to try and find out how do donate all that stuff and in return someone called the FBI based upon suspicion some of the collection was either stolen or illegal.
Sounds like “lawyer time” ...