A south western Rush County man who collected artifacts over the span of eight decades is getting quite a bit of attention from media and federal investigators.
The home of Donald Miller, 91, was raided by FBI agents Wednesday. Authorities said they seized thousands of artifacts that have “immeasurable” cultural value from his personal collection.
The items range from Native American artifacts to valued objects from China, Russia, Haiti, Australia, New Guinea and Peru, agents said.
Miller had traveled often in his lifetime and federal agents said some items may have been wrongfully acquired. Other items were obtained lawfully or before laws were established in those countries.
The FBI has over one hundred federal agents on the property along with archeologists and anthropologists. Investigators could be on the scene for the next week sorting through the thousands of artifacts that took 80 years to collect. Miller has opened the home to tours from scout groups and schools in the past, and has been featured in the Rushville Republican several times.
The FBI said Miller has been cooperating in the investigation and is currently not a criminal suspect.
According to several reports, federal agents raided the home with the goal of returning some of the artifacts or compensation to its rightful owners, after learning Miller may have acquired some of items improperly.
