Maryland Artist Sentenced for Indian Arts and Crafts Act Violations

Maryland – A Maryland artist, Jasmine Battle, pled guilty and was sentenced to 24 months of probation and a fine of $2,500.00 for violations of the Indian Arts and Crafts Act by misrepresenting herself as a Native American and Cherokee when selling her artwork.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement (USFWS/OLE) began investigating Battle after the Indian Arts and Crafts Board received a complaint that Battle was misrepresenting herself as a Cherokee artist and that she was from the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which are federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma and North Carolina. Between approximately 2013 and 2020, Battle sold dreamcatchers through her online store, AUTHENTIC DREAM CATCHER STUDIO, claiming they were Authentic Cherokee dreamcatchers, when in fact, she was not an enrolled tribal member or had proof of Indian heritage.

USFWS/OLE Agents executed a federal search warrant at Battle’s residence. In addition to seizing evidence items associated with Battle’s business, agents seized feathers from birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

“Counterfeit Indian art, like Jasmine Battle’s dreamcatchers that she misrepresented and sold as Cherokee-made, tears at the very fabric of Indian culture, livelihoods, and communities,” stated U.S. Department of the Interior Indian Arts and Crafts Board Director Meridith Stanton. “The Indian Arts and Crafts Board by statute is responsible for administering the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, an anti-counterfeiting law to protect Indian artists and consumers. Ms. Battle’s actions demean and rob authentic Indian artists who rely on the creation and sale of their artwork to put food on the table, make ends meet, and pass along these important cultural traditions and skills from one generation to the next. Her actions also undermine consumers’ confidence in the Indian art market nationwide. Due to the outstanding work of the Office of the U.S. Attorney-District of Maryland and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Indian Arts and Crafts Act Investigative Unit, Ms. Battle is being held accountable and the message is clear. For those selling counterfeit Indian art and craftwork it is important to know that wherever you are we will diligently work to find you and prosecute you under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.”

The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorneys’ Office in the District of Maryland.