Feds step in against Native Mob

Two Mille Lacs area residents among six charged in federal court

In a crackdown on Native Mob members suspected of drug distribution, two local men, Dale Wesley Ballinger, Jr., 20, of Isle, and Damien Lee Beaulieu, 20, of Onamia, have been charged in a 47-count indictment.

The Messenger received reports Tuesday morning of a large number of police cars parked on County Road 131 east of Hwy. 47 in Isle. Mille Lacs Tribal Police Chief Dwight Reed confirmed that the cars were in the area to arrest Ballinger.

The Department of Corrrections stated Wednesday that the state prison system was locked down for 25 hours beginning Tuesday morning so word would not leak out about the arrests.

Also charged were Aaron James Gilbert, Jr., 24, of Minneapolis, Cory Gene Oquist, 22, Bemidji, Dale John Pindegayosh, 29, Cass Lake, and Justen Lee Poitra, 26, Cass Lake.

Twelve more individuals who are already in jail or prison have been charged in the indictment, but their names are not yet available. Six others charged are still at large.

News release from U.S. Attorney's Office: