Judge throws out lawsuit over Custer museum raids

BILLINGS — A federal judge threw out a lawsuit claiming federal agents illegally raided Montana's Custer Battlefield Museum during an investigation into the alleged sale of fraudulent artifacts and eagle feathers.

The judgment was filed in U.S. District Court in favor of two dozen federal agents who participated in the raids in 2005 and 2008.

Judge Richard Cebull dismissed as frivolous claims by museum director Christopher Kortlander that the raids were illegal and the agents had violated his constitutional rights.

The investigation closed in 2009 with no charges filed. Eagle feathers and part...