MINNEAPOLIS – The Department of Justice is sending 60 FBI personnel to support unresolved investigations of violent crimes on Indian reservations.
The employees will be sent to 10 FBI field offices including in Minneapolis which serves Minnesota and North Dakota. The crimes they’re investigating include missing and murdered indigenous people. The Department of Justice says personnel will use the latest forensic evidence processing tools to solve cases and hold perpetrators accountable.
Justice Department officials say at the beginning of fiscal year 2025, the FBI’s Indian Country program had about 4,300 open investigations including 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.
“Crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities are unacceptably high. By surging FBI resources and collaborating closely with US Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement to prosecute cases, the Department of Justice will help deliver the accountability that these communities deserve,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
This is the third deployment under Operation Not Forgotten which renews efforts during President Donald Trump’s first term. The Department of Justice says the operation has provided support to more than 500 cases in the last two years helping 10 child victims leading to 52 arrests and 25 indictments or judicial complaints.
“The FBI will manhunt violent criminals on all lands – and Operation Not Forgotten ensures a surge in resources to locate violent offenders on tribal lands and find those who have gone missing,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.
“My office is committed to meeting the needs of—and pursuing justice for—our Tribal communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. “We are grateful for this much-needed surge of resources, which will enhance the public safety of our Tribal communities throughout Minnesota.”
