Las Vegas man indicted for allegedly selling fake Native art

A Las Vegas resident has been indicted for allegedly misrepresenting goods as Native American-made in violation of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada, Jose Skywolf Martinez, 61, made his initial court appearance Tuesday. He is charged with one count of violating the federal law. A jury trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.

Prosecutors allege Martinez sold goods he falsely suggested were produced by a Native person or tribe. The director of the Interior Department’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Meridith Stanton, was quoted as saying that the counterfeit art allegedly sold by Martinez harms Native “economies, culture, and traditions.” If convicted, Martinez faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.