ABSTRACT
The year 2006 saw several noteworthy federal criminal cases. In the District of Oregon, the first defendants prosecuted as a result of “Operation Bring ’em Back” were convicted (Burness, Devoe, Devoe, Kirksey, Neff, Orf, and Orf ; Maxwell and Wools; and U.S. v. Harelson, which will be reported in Yearbook 2008). Begun in 2000 to target the illegal excavation and trafficking in Native American human remains and cultural items and archaeological resources, thus far the Operation has resulted in the seizure of over 100,000 items, the recovery of two skulls of Native American children from a previously convicted grave robber, the discovery of illegal excavation at over 100 cultural sites, and a determination of damages in excess of $1 million. Undoubtedly, more prosecutions stemming from “Operation Bring ’em Back” will be reported in next year’s Yearbook.
