CrimeSep 01, 2020
4 Sentenced, 1 Sought in Case Involving Fake Native American JewelryCrimeJul 30, 2024
Florida Man Charged with Selling Fake Native American Jewelry
The man is accused of faking his Native American ancestry to sell jewelry at art shows across Wisconsin.
A Florida man faces federal fraud charges for falsely claiming to be a member of the “Pueblo Nation of New Mexico” in order to sell jewelry as Native American-made at art shows across Wisconsin.
Madison, Wis.—A Florida man has been indicted for allegedly selling fake Native American jewelry in Wisconsin.
Jose Farinango Muenala, 45, of Casselberry, Florida, has been charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, and misrepresenting "Indian-produced goods," according to a press release from the office of Timothy M. O’Shea, a federal prosecutor in the Western District of Wisconsin.
The indictment alleges that between Dec. 3, 2015, and Jan. 17, 2024, Farinango Muenala applied to art shows across the United States to sell jewelry.
In those applications, he falsely claimed to be Native American and then repeated that claim to art show attendees, telling them he made the jewelry he was selling, the indictment alleges.
The charges of mail and wire fraud are connected to emails, letters, and checks sent to the Mercer Chamber of Commerce in Wisconsin to aid in his alleged scheme.
The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin, on June 26.
“Prosecuting these types of fraud cases is part of our important work to support Tribal Nations,” said O’Shea. “The indictment announced today is not only about enforcing the law, but also about protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Native Americans.”
Edward Grace, assistant director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, said, “Jose Farinango’s false tribal affiliation cheated customers and impacted the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists.”
Grace’s team of special agents work on behalf of the Department of the Interior and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB).
Related stories will be right here …
Jose Farinango Muenala, 45, of Casselberry, Florida, has been charged with wire fraud, mail fraud, and misrepresenting "Indian-produced goods," according to a press release from the office of Timothy M. O’Shea, a federal prosecutor in the Western District of Wisconsin.
The indictment alleges that between Dec. 3, 2015, and Jan. 17, 2024, Farinango Muenala applied to art shows across the United States to sell jewelry.
In those applications, he falsely claimed to be Native American and then repeated that claim to art show attendees, telling them he made the jewelry he was selling, the indictment alleges.
The charges of mail and wire fraud are connected to emails, letters, and checks sent to the Mercer Chamber of Commerce in Wisconsin to aid in his alleged scheme.
The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin, on June 26.
“Prosecuting these types of fraud cases is part of our important work to support Tribal Nations,” said O’Shea. “The indictment announced today is not only about enforcing the law, but also about protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of Native Americans.”
Edward Grace, assistant director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, said, “Jose Farinango’s false tribal affiliation cheated customers and impacted the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists.”
Grace’s team of special agents work on behalf of the Department of the Interior and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB).
The IACB is responsible for administering and enforcing the Indian Arts and Crafts Act, which is a truth-in-marketing law.
The act is meant to protect the economic livelihoods and cultural heritage of Native American artists, craftspeople, and their tribes, explained IACB Director Meridith Stanton, as well as to protect consumers who buy these goods.
“Authentic Indian art and craftwork is an important tool for passing down cultural traditions, traditional knowledge, and artistic skills from one generation to the next.
“Those who market fake Indian art and craftwork, such as under Jose Farinango’s guise of from ‘the Pueblo Nation of New Mexico,’ tear at the very fabric of Indian culture and livelihoods and prey upon unwitting consumers, and therefore must be held accountable,” she said.
The charges against Farinango Muenala followed an investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the IACB.
A federal grand jury in Madison, Wisconsin, returned the indictment on June 26.
If convicted, Farinango Muenala faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire and mail fraud charges.
There is a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the misrepresentation of "Indian-produced" goods charge.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Crime
The Latest
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Events & AwardsOct 22, 2026
JIS Fall 2026 Reports Record-Breaking Attendance The number of participants at the fall show was up 12 percent.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
