Utah woman charged with lying to federal agents

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – The wife of a man who pleaded guilty to illegally selling American Indian artifacts has been charged with lying to federal agents.

In court papers, federal prosecutors say Cari Laws lied when she told authorities last month that her husband violated the terms of his federal probation by using drugs and continuing to dig up artifacts from federal land.

Nicholas Laws pleaded guilty in 2010 to federal charges for selling a ceremonial effigy doll. He was sentenced to two years probation.

Prosecutors charged Cari Laws with one count of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer. If convicted, she faces up to five years in federal prison.

Cari Laws appeared in U.S. District Court this week and was assigned a public defender.

Another hearing is set for today.