A smiling Jericca Redd was paraded on the front page ("Relics case: No prison for Redds," Tribune , Sept. 17). No wonder she was smiling -- probation and a $300 fine was her penalty for the 10 felonies she and her mother were charged with for trafficking in Native American artifacts. This is a big business, and their fines are chump change.

With a few mouse clicks you can find an abundance of Native American pieces of history now on the auction block whose provenance is listed as San Juan County: drills, awls, beads, cordage, effigy figures and a medicine pouch with turquoise. If you want something you don't see, simply put in a request. Consignment items are also gleefully accepted. Their business model is the pillaging of our public lands.

Judge Clark Waddoups "varied" from the sentencing guidelines for these offenses because such conduct is commonly tolerated in the Redd's community. What is the end result if the frequency of crime results in diminishing its consequences?

I congratulate the federal officials who cracked down on this thievery. There should be real consequences for those who abuse antiquities and our public lands.

Aaron Jones

Salt Lake City