Everyone here thinks this seizure is illegal. I wonder what precipitated it. If the collector had some items that he stole, wouldn’t there be a legal way to get them back without dragging everything he owns out of the house?
I don’t know whether this is illegal search and seizure but it most assuredly is a ham-handed act of a bunch of bullies against a 91-year old citizen.
I hope to live that long…is this what I can look forward to?
OK, a little further research suggests that the 91-year-old “perp” may be harboring some Indian artifacts/bones. They are pretty much on the warpath about getting their ancestors’ stuff back from collectors and even museums. Even if the items were purchased legally, the Indians believe they still belong to them. The FBI “Art Crimes Unit” is examining everything
http://wishtv.com/2014/04/02/fbi-surrounds-home-in-rush-county/
AND a great video here shows part of collections: http://wishtv.com/2014/04/02/home-video-shows-artifacts-in-rush-county-home/
“Over the last several months, an FBI investigation has determined that Mr. Miller may have knowingly and unknowingly collected artifacts, relics and objects of cultural patrimony in violation of several treaties federal and state statutes,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Jones….some statutes and laws put into place in the last several decades may not have been in effect when Miller collected some of the items.”