FBI raid

[cudamark]

Anyone see the news report today about a 100 agent FBI raid on a 91 year old man's house? Seems he's a collector of ancient artifacts from all over the world. The news article headline was that he hoarded Native America artifacts, of course, to grab the activists attention. It also said in the article that they didn't know if he was going to be arrested or that any of the items were collected illegally. So, now you can now get a search warrant and raid someone's house without knowing that they're doing something wrong?? Seems on the surface to be an amazing violation of his constitutional rights. It'll be interesting to see what kind of evidence they'll now have to manufacture to frame this guy. You just know they will....to save face if nothing else.

 

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[Seadog72]

Don Miller worked on the Manhattan Project which ultimately brought Japan to its knees & he is a true hero and "relic" in his own right. What a shame the FBI is doing this! Our Constitutional rights are disappearing before our eyes. Hope he doesn't die in prison.

 

[Helix]

Yes this does seem a bit over board on the size of the circus needed to figure out if the guy has broken any laws? Couldn't just a few people of gone in and determine if he was even breaking any laws? I don't understand, his an elderly gentleman well known in the community and a good standing reputation. I wonder if the raid was done at 3:00 a.m. in the morning and if they shot his dog?

 

[fishstick]

From everyone I've talked to HE was the one that called them. He has been tryin to find a new home for his collection for years BUT they(as in the man) want to TAX THE HE77 out of it!!! Maybe he's thinkin this way it will go to a good home for EVERYONE to enjoy and not have to pay for it.. He doesn't need the money!!!

 

[NHBandit]

People who aren't outraged at this type of blatant violation of this mans rights or the amount of overkill being used by the government are part of the problem... With that I have no other comments because I don't want to be the cause of yet another disappearing thread.

 

[NHBandit]

From everyone I've talked to HE was the one that called them. He has been tryin to find a new home for his collection for years BUT they(as in the man) want to TAX THE HE77 out of it!!! Maybe he's thinkin this way it will go to a good home for EVERYONE to enjoy and not have to pay for it.. He doesn't need the money!!!

Who are these people you've "talked to" ? There have been multiple threads on here about this with multiple links to news stories and every single one of them is calling it a "raid". If you're going to make a post like this please be ready and able to back it up. With that said I sincerely hope you are correct. I just don't see how your story makes any sense. I would think there are a ton of museums who would welcome the donation and that would allow him to write it all off on his taxes. Tagging this for updates. This is a new twist I haven't heard anywhere before.

 

[jeff of pa]

Yes this does seem a bit over board on the size of the circus needed to figure out if the guy has broken any laws? Couldn't just a few people of gone in and determine if he was even breaking any laws? I don't understand, his an elderly gentleman well known in the community and a good standing reputation. I wonder if the raid was done at 3:00 a.m. in the morning and if they shot his dog?

Circus is Right

what's with the tents ? Afraid someone may see a Relic ?
I'm sure nobody is gonna run up in the middle of the FBI and Grab an arrow head & Run





I hope fishstick's info is correct though, That he called them.

Either way they would not put a 90 year old behind bars for that.
In spite of my lack of respect for the Feds actions here.
a 90 year old will never be put behind bars unless he is a threat to life.
I'm sure of that

at 90 he could wake up dead from his next nap

the crybabies will have a fit over this though .
Carefully labeled glass showcases boasted hundreds of Native American arrowheads, along with human skulls — including one with an arrowhead stuck in it.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...ome-artifacts-article-1.1745576#ixzz2y1FKpxDx
​

 

[NHBandit]

"FBI agents with the art crime team" certainly dosn't sound like he is the one who called them. And the claim by the FBI that alot of the items will be sent back to their country of origin dosn't sound like the collection is being kept together for future generations to enjoy. Every bit of it will disappear into dusty museum basements because they are already overloaded with this exact same stuff, never to be seen again.. Damn shame. Still waiting for fishstick to post the source of his claim.

 

[jeff of pa]

"FBI agents with the art crime team" certainly dosn't sound like he is the one who called them. And the claim by the FBI that alot of the items will be sent back to their country of origin dosn't sound like the collection is being kept together for future generations to enjoy. Every bit of it will disappear into dusty museum basements because they are already overloaded with this exact same stuff, never to be seen again.. Damn shame. Still waiting for fishstick to post the source of his claim.

Whether he posts his Source or Not, Your probably right on everything being
sent back to places that don't give a Crap.
& If not buried in Basements, Sold to pay their wages
which they most definitely wouldn't pretend to care about the relics if not for their pay checks.

as for keeping it together ? Even if it is true That he requested info on how to
set up a Museum before he Dies, The Feds would steal it & send it back to these countries.
It's called "Brownie Points"

 

[fireguy]

I'm sure they didn't raid a house without a warrant. I didn't read anywhere that an illegal search and seizure took place. And since they are from the FBI group dealing with stolen art and artifacts they are probably there because like it says in the article he told everyone and didn't try to keep it a secret. Yes I think it's a shame that he is losing such a passion of his and people aren't going to be able to enjoy it there. I'm sure he broke many laws buying or exporting cultural artifacts from the country of origin without proper licence or paperwork.
May suck but that's the law and if your that big of a collector and you want your collection to be public you should make sure or someone should tell you to make sure you have your stuff inline.
A suppressor for a gun is legal to own just a form and tax. Owning a suppressor without that form or tax - federal crime.
The police don't just raid houses illegally. They might make it a pain in the @** to do stuff legally which I hate but you have to follow the rules. If you don't want to jump through the hoops it doesn't really bother me on something like this just don't make it a big public thing where you are going to have the feds come.

 

[jeff of pa]

I'm sure they didn't raid a house without a warrant. I didn't read anywhere that an illegal search and seizure took place. And since they are from the FBI group dealing with stolen art and artifacts they are probably there because like it says in the article he told everyone and didn't try to keep it a secret. Yes I think it's a shame that he is losing such a passion of his and people aren't going to be able to enjoy it there. I'm sure he broke many laws buying or exporting cultural artifacts from the country of origin without proper licence or paperwork.
May suck but that's the law and if your that big of a collector and you want your collection to be public you should make sure or someone should tell you to make sure you have your stuff inline.
A suppressor for a gun is legal to own just a form and tax. Owning a suppressor without that form or tax - federal crime.
The police don't just raid houses illegally. They might make it a pain in the @** to do stuff legally which I hate but you have to follow the rules. If you don't want to jump through the hoops it doesn't really bother me on something like this just don't make it a big public thing where you are going to have the feds come.

yes that's for sure.

He either trusted to show things to the wrong person & they reported him,

Or he did ask for help & is finding out the consequences of it.

although there probably is no term limit on Repatriation.
odds are he's well beyond any prosicution limits, at least here.

Soldiers Brought home relics during WW2
It was souvineers .
Nazis took home relics it was called Theft.
It all depends on who you were/are.

 

[fireguy]

And if like to add that working in the limelight of the new they throw whatever label will grab attention. The Feds could have walked up said can we look around. And told him it was illegal and they had to remove them. Had all the equipment brought to catalog and prepare them for transport and the news will call it a "Raid" like they kicked the door in guns blazing.

I've worked on standby on a new's so called "Raid" they walked up knocked on the door, told the resident they were needing to search the property, the resident was escorted out to the front lawn and they walked through the house and did what they needed to. scary stuff. Hahah

 

[Helix]

I don't know much this but I have heard a term the authorities use "make your own case". Sounds like they knew they could find enough stuff to make a good case or justify there action's. What scares me is were does it stop? When they get desperate will they raid my home for an old guitar made out of wood witch was recently out lawed? Just like terrorism it just keeps getting worse and worse. I have read a few articles on this story and I can see how the fellow would want to contact some form of authority on finding a good home for the artifacts before he passes. Gosh I hope this story is just being blown out of proportion.

 

[fireguy]

Just waiting on the tea party to chine in with their smoke and mirrors Hahahaha

 

[doc-d]

Trial by media………and what of innocent until proven guilty?
And when did he obtain these items……likely many were legal at the time…….
Trust the gov, I believe history proves otherwise……….

 

[Jeremy S]

Don't trust the media. They are unreliable, at best.

The circus tents are probably to protect the relics and people examining them (not to hide anything from us). The weather in Indiana is still cool and lots of rain. At least one fellow on these forums personally knows this guy, hopefully he will chime in with the true story. Until then everything is just media BS and speculation.

 

[fishstick]

Who are these people you've "talked to" ? There have been multiple threads on here about this with multiple links to news stories and every single one of them is calling it a "raid". If you're going to make a post like this please be ready and able to back it up. With that said I sincerely hope you are correct. I just don't see how your story makes any sense. I would think there are a ton of museums who would welcome the donation and that would allow him to write it all off on his taxes. Tagging this for updates. This is a new twist I haven't heard anywhere before.

I wish I knew all the facts but what I do know is several of Don's friends plus I know him personally. I'm not sayin we're best friends by no means but we have meet several times and I've seen the collection myself ( it's MINDBLOWIN )!!! A few of them are tellin me that side of the story. I wish I knew more about the whole tax thing but I've been hearin that story for years. You know how the media likes to blow things up for more than their worth. They have said from the beginin that he was NOT in any trouble, that's why I believe he was the one who made the call. A few years back a couple of fellows got caught digging in the woods for arrowheads and they kicked their doors in EVEN when they ( the cops ) had the keys!!!! For what Don has they would have blew the hinges off the door.. lol I'm not tryin to spread any gossip, just passin along a few of the things I've been told. Hope it helps NHB....

 

[NewsMan]

Don't trust the media. They are unreliable, at best.

The circus tents are probably to protect the relics and people examining them (not to hide anything from us). The weather in Indiana is still cool and lots of rain. At least one fellow on these forums personally knows this guy, hopefully he will chime in with the true story. Until then everything is just media BS and speculation.

Stupid comments like this are just that. You may have issues with the media but blanket statements like this are just as ridiculous. I have been in the media 20 years and 99% of the crap I see non-media people say about the media... is just that. You people actually think us college educated professionals sit around and make **** up? Those that do are nuts... but then again many of you think digging up indian graves is cool too. With that said... the pictures I see and the articles I've read show this is a RAID. What the hell else would you call it? A housewarming party? A visit by the man? A speculative fishing trip by the Feds? Geesh. So many people think they know so much.

 

[NewsMan]

Even IF the guy called the law himself... what would you call it without needing a five word sentence? If they are cataloging his stuff and taking it away... he has been raided. Is what it is.

 

[jeff of pa]

Stupid comments like this are just that. You may have issues with the media but blanket statements like this are just as ridiculous. I have been in the media 20 years and 99% of the crap I see non-media people say about the media... is just that. You people actually think us college educated professionals sit around and make **** up? Those that do are nuts... but then again many of you think digging up indian graves is cool too. With that said... the pictures I see and the articles I've read show this is a RAID. What the hell else would you call it? A housewarming party? A visit by the man? A speculative fishing trip by the Feds? Geesh. So many people think they know so much.

NewsMan your first comment here is a bit Strong.
I'll let it stand For now but please ! In the future choose your words a little Better.

as for the intent of your post, I would think you have to admit,
Or at least should admit Drama sells. and I do personally believe
the news Media leans towards the drama when telling a story,
rather then play things down No ?

I do agree This appears more like a raid then a tour of the Museum
on the offf chance of finding something illegal

as for the Digging up graves comment.... Only Archies NewsMan

Only Archies would think it is "Cool"

Yes I for one would not have nightmares if I accidentally dug a grave.
and would re cover it. But if your suggesting we would go dig one
for fun & profit. your in the wrong place.Only Archaeologists do that