A mother and daughter pleaded guilty Monday to U.S. felony charges related to theft and illegal trafficking of American Indian artifacts. The pleas are the first from a two-year undercover government operation that has led to charges against 24 people.

Jeanne Redd, 59, pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft of government and tribal property and trafficking in stolen artifacts. Her 37-year-old daughter, Jerrica Redd, pleaded guilty to three similar charges. Jeanne Redd offered to sell to an undercover source an ax, gourd, and necklace taken from ruins on Navajo reservation land and a turquoise pendant and four sandals taken from federal lands. Jerrica Redd admitted to taking pottery from Navajo land.

Prosecutors indicated they would recommend lenient sentencing under federal guidelines that call for up to 10 years in prison plus fines for the most serious charges. James Redd, the father of Jerrica and husband of Jeanne, also was charged in the case but has since committed suicide. Another suspect also killed himself. Artifact looting is reportedly common in the Four Corners area, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet.

Read more at the Associated Press.