BIA, Tribal and County Law Enforcement Work Together to Apprehend Federal Fugitive Speeding Towards Standing Rock Reservation

STANDING ROCK, N.D. – Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Kevin K. Washburn today announced that Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services (OJS) officers, working with tribal and county law enforcement, were instrumental in apprehending an “armed and dangerous” adult male approximately 12 miles from Fort Yates community on the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota. The individual was wanted on a federal warrant for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamines.

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the BIA Standing Rock Agency in Fort Yates responded to the Burleigh County, N.D., Sheriff’s Department’s request for assistance with apprehending the adult male who was driving at high speeds from Bismarck towards the North Dakota side of the Standing Rock Reservation.

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s Game and Fish Department assisted in the effort by blocking roadways adjacent to the path of pursuit, which forced the driver off the highway and into rugged terrain. A BIA special agent then disabled the vehicle as it sped towards him by discharging rounds into its engine block. Although the fugitive was armed with an AR-15 assault rifle, he was taken into custody without further incident.

“I want to commend the officers involved in this multi-jurisdictional effort. Our OJS officers showed tremendous poise in the face of danger, and through their efforts tribal and adjacent communities are safer today,” Washburn said. “I’m extremely thankful that this individual was apprehended with no injury to our officers or to members of the public.”

The adult male, who is not an American Indian, was turned over to state law enforcement officials and could be facing additional charges. “I am extremely proud of the law enforcement professionals we have working at our BIA Standing Rock Agency,” said Darren Cruzan, Deputy BIA Director – Office of Justice Service. “Their quick and deliberate actions to keep this armed individual from driving into a populated community prevented a very dangerous situation from becoming worse.”

The BIA Office of Justice Services’ mission is to enhance public safety and protect property in Indian Country by funding or providing law enforcement, corrections and tribal court services to the nation’s federally recognized tribes. It also coordinates emergency preparedness support on federal Indian lands by working cooperatively with other federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies throughout Indian Country. It also operates the Indian Police Academy in Artesia, N.M., which provides training and professional development to BIA and tribal law

enforcement personnel.