ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) – A Selby man pleaded guilty Friday to excavating and trafficking American Indian artifacts found along the Missouri River.

Brian E. Ekrem faces up to two years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine at his sentencing in August.

The 28-year-old Ekrem admitted that he sold, bought and exchanged artifacts or offered to do so. They included beads, stone points, knives and blades, bone tools, cannonballs, copper bracelets and pottery.

He’s one of five men indicted in a federal case. Two others also have pleaded guilty.
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Information from: Aberdeen American News,
 http://www.aberdeennews.com

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AP-WS-05-17-09 0705EDT