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Dan Gunderson

Feds agree to help fight crime on Mille Lacs Reservation

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The Mille Lacs reservation
Mille Lacs Reservation
Tim Post | MPR News 2007

Updated: 3:45 p.m. | Posted: 2:21 p.m.

Federal law enforcement agencies are assuming a larger role on the Mille Lacs Reservation.

The Department of Justice on Tuesday approved concurrent jurisdiction status at Mille Lacs. White Earth received the federal designation in 2013.

Tracy Toulou, director of the department's Office of Tribal Justice, said federal investigations will focus on crimes where federal resources can make a difference.

"Particularly, you know, in the area of gang enforcement, which is an issue on both reservations, because those crimes go outside the local jurisdiction and will be in Minneapolis or even out of state at times," he said.

Since 1953, U.S. law has given six states jurisdiction over crimes on most reservations within their borders. Minnesota is one of those states. A 2010 law allows tribes to request federal help, as well.

Under the new agreement, federal authorities can prosecute crimes such as murder, rape, felony assault and felony child abuse and will share jurisdiction with state and tribal law enforcement.

In her state of the band address Tuesday, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin said the jurisdictional change will help fight addiction and drug crime.

"We need this message to go out to drug dealers, gang members and anyone intent on committing violent crimes on our lands: We will catch you, and when we do, you are going to Leavenworth, not Stillwater," according to a statement released after Benjamin's speech. "Tell the dealers, if you don't want to go to federal prison, get off our lands now, and stay out."