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Utah Police Arrest Man Who Used Animal Parts and Human Skulls For Religious Rites

By Howard M. Friedman

According to NBC News, in Clearfield, Utah on Sunday detectives arrested Roberto Casillas-Corrales for investigation of abuse or desecration of a human body.  While executing a search warrant as part of a drug investigation, officers found a shed full of animal carcasses, along with two human skulls, behind Casillas-Corrales' home. Casillas-Corrales says he is a Santeros, or priest, and that he uses the skulls and animal parts for religious ceremonies.  He apparently purchased the skulls from individuals who took them from graves in Cuba.  It is unclear whether the animal parts will lead to additional charges.  Federal immigration agents are also involved in the investigation since Casillas-Corrales is not a U.S. citizen.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on March 16, 2011 (boomark / email).