UPDATE: Anchorage antique broker sold carvings as Alaska Native art, actually carved them himself, prosecutors say

A well known Anchorage antique dealer is being charged with federal crimes, after an investigation by multiple agencies revealed he was selling carvings he made, but saying they were done by Alaska Native artisans.

Lee John Screnock, 58, the former owner of the store Arctic Treasures, faces one count of misrepresentation of Indian produced goods and products, and two counts alleging violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Arctic Treasures was bought in June 2018 by Inupiaq Alaska Native artist Leon Kinneeveauk, who employs 18 Alaska Native artists.

Kinneeveauk says all artwork under question was removed from Arctic Treasures prior to the change in ownership.

The indictment says the sales began at an unknown time and continuing up until June 11, 2018, Screnock offered and displayed for sale around 450 ivory carvings "in a manner that falsely suggested that the goods were Indian produced, an Indian product, and the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization," the indictment reads.

According to a news release, "Screnock allegedly offered, displayed for sale, and sold goods in a manner that falsely suggested that it was Indian produced, an Indian product, and the product of a particular Indian or Indian tribe or Indian arts and crafts organization."

"Screnock fraudulently represented hundreds of items for sale in his business as being carved by Alaskan Native artisans when he had in fact carved them himself," prosecutors wrote.

The marine mammal violations come from Screnock allegedly "offering illegal wildlife parts for sale, including a polar bear skull and a walrus oosik."

If convicted, Screnock faces a maximum of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, officials wrote in the release.