fake Indians

NYTs on New Age Sweat Lodge Deaths

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

From the NYTs:

SEDONA, Ariz. — Tucked into stunning red rock formations and canyons punctuated with splashes of green junipers, this town of about 11,500 has long been a high-end golf and tennis resort, the choice location for second homes of the well-to-do and a favorite destination for hikers, rock climbers, cyclists and sightseers.

It has also become world-renowned as a New Age metaphysical center, attracting seekers and followers of an assortment of spiritual pathways, many of whom believe healing energy is released from “vortexes” that are said to be scattered among the rock formations.

Scores of self-proclaimed mystics, healers, channelers of past life experiences (and aliens), sacred touch massage therapists, wind whisperers and vision quest guides offer their services, often for a hefty price. Many of these spiritual pathways are based somewhat loosely around Native American traditions, including the ceremonial sweat lodge.

But the deaths of two people in a sweat lodge last week at Angel Valley, a New Age spiritual retreat about six miles south of West Sedona, is causing more soul-searching among New Age practitioners and concern among town leaders.

“We are severely impacted by the fact that this happened,” said Sedona’s mayor, Rob Adams. “We need to get to the bottom of what happened.” Continue reading →

Fake Indians Convicted in Southern Florida of Selling Tribal Memberships

Matthew L.M. Fletcher1 Comment

Here is the magistrate report and recommendations detailing the indictments — US v Watson

An excerpt:

On August 27, 2008, the undersigned Magistrate Judge reviewed an Application and Affidavit for Search Warrant and, based on that review, signed a Search Warrant (DE 121-2) for the premises located at 7500 N.W. 73rd Avenue, Tamarac, Florida. The Application and Affidavit for Search Warrant (DE 121-2) describes in considerable detail Defendant’s alleged criminal activity, as well as the affiant’s grounds for believing that an enumerated list of 13 items evidencing that activity could be found at the search premises.

The Affidavit asserts that Universal Service Dedicated to God, Inc. (“USDG”) was incorporated in Florida in 1996 and that since USDG’s incorporation, Defendant has been listed as its President. Id. at P 4 (DE 121-2). Law enforcement investigation revealed that from August 2005, Defendant and employees of USDG sold memberships in the Pembina Nation Little Shell Indian Tribe (“the Tribe”) by falsely representing to their clients, who were illegal aliens, that they would become United States citizens through their membership in the tribe and thereby resolve their immigration problems. Id. at P 5 (DE 121-2). Charging clients $ 1,500 per individual and $ 2,000 per couple, Defendant and the USDG employees completed applications for membership into the Tribe; they then issued identification documents, fraudulently stating that the applicants were members of the Tribe. Id. at PP 6, 7 (DE 121-2).

Ninth Circuit Affirms Conviction of Fake Indians for Immigration Violations

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the Ninth Circuit’s unpublished opinion in United States v. Stowbunenko-Saitschenko. Here is a summary of the case from the opinion:

Oleh Rostylaw Stowbunenko-Saitschenko (“Stowbunenko”) appeals his conviction and sentence for Bringing in Illegal Aliens to the United States … and his conviction for Encouraging Illegal Aliens to Enter the United States …. These convictions resulted from an incident in which Stowbunenko, a naturalized American citizen who claims to be a member of an Indian tribe known as the Little Shell Pembina Band of North America (“PNLSB”), issued certificates of PNLSB membership to two Mexican nationals and then attempted to cross the border from Mexico to the United States with the Mexican nationals. At Stowbunenko’s urging, the Mexican nationals tried to use their tribal membership documents to secure entry to the United States. Stowbunenko was convicted of the above counts following a jury trial and sentenced principally to time served.

Here are the briefs in which the appellant’s make some startling (and frivolous) Jay Treaty and Indian law claims:

Continue reading →