The Department of Justice has announced a significant redeployment of FBI resources to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, particularly focusing on cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous persons. A strategic push will see 60 FBI personnel assigned to rotating 90-day temporary duties over six months. This marks the most extensive national deployment of FBI resources to date concerning Indian Country crime.
The FBI's effort will concentrate on supporting field offices in cities including Albuquerque, Denver, and Phoenix, among others. This collaboration includes working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal law enforcement agencies to solve cases with the help of modern forensic tools. Cases will be prosecuted aggressively by U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated: “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.”
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the operation's importance: “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.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker highlighted the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, noting the strengthened partnerships with various law enforcement agencies to ensure safety and security.
Currently, the FBI's Indian Country program involves approximately 4,300 open investigations, tackling offenses such as child abuse, domestic violence, and adult sexual abuse.
This initiative is part of Operation Not Forgotten, initially launched under President Trump's administration via Executive Order 13898. Over the past two years, Operation Not Forgotten has provided investigative support to over 500 cases, resulting in numerous recoveries, arrests, and judicial actions.
The expansion of resources also ties into the Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program. MMIP AUSA Bree R. Black Horse remarked, “For far too long, American Indian and Alaska Native people have faced unacceptably high levels of violence. Targeted efforts like Operation Not Forgotten and the MMIP Regional Outreach Program will help ensure that violent crimes in Indian country will be timely investigated and resolved, which will improve public safety throughout Tribal communities.”