United States Attorney Meets with Community and Leaders in the Red Lake Indian Reservation and Beltrami County

MINNEAPOLIS - United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen and members of the U.S. Attorney's Office completed a two-day visit to Beltrami County and the Red Lake Indian Reservation on August 4 and 5, 2026. The visit included a series of meetings with county officials, federal partners, tribal leadership, community members, and the Red Lake Department of Public Safety to discuss public safety across northern Minnesota and to strengthen coordination between tribal, federal, and local agencies.

During the visit with the Beltrami County Attorney's Office, United States Attorney Rosen met with County Attorney David Hanson and local law enforcement officials, including Chief Assistant County Attorney David Frank, Sheriff Jason Riggs, and Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force Commander David Hart. Officials described narcotics trafficking entering the region from the Twin Cities and other areas, and discussed broader socioeconomic conditions influencing public safety, including Beltrami County's poverty rate of 16.1 percent, among the highest in Minnesota.

United States Attorney Rosen noted that his office has seen a tremendous number of extraordinarily qualified lawyers desiring to serve in the District of Minnesota. The office now has even more Assistant United States Attorneys than when he assumed office in October 2025, reaffirming that the United States Attorney's Office is in a strong position to support county and tribal partners. Local officials recognized AUSAs Raphael Coburn and Garrett S. Fields for their work on complex and high-impact cases.

Following this meeting, United States Attorney Rosen visited the FBI's Bemidji Resident Agency, which covers most of northwest Minnesota and the Red Lake Indian Reservation. There, agents provided a briefing on active investigations and enforcement priorities affecting both county and tribal jurisdictions. These discussions focused on violent crime, narcotics trafficking, and interagency coordination.

United States Attorney Rosen then traveled to the Red Lake Indian Reservation for a consultation with tribal executive leadership. Joining him at Red Lake were FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson, along with Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Sr., Tribal Secretary Robert L. May, members of the Tribal Council, and officials from the Red Lake Police Department, including Red Lake Nation Public Safety Director Kendall Kingbird, Sr.

Tribal leaders raised urgent public safety concerns, including violent crime, drug trafficking, and the disproportionate impact of violence on women and children. Tribal Secretary May spoke candidly about longstanding community needs and communicated a strong desire to further strengthen the relationship with the United States Attorney's Office.

United States Attorney Rosen affirmed the United States Attorney's Office's long-term dedication to prosecute crimes on the reservation, stating, "One of the things that I have made very clear in our office is that whatever the past treatment may or may not have been of crimes in Indian Country and the United States Attorney's Office, it is now at the highest level of priority in our office." FBI Special Agent in Charge Dotson later emphasized the FBI's shared focus, noting, "I can tell you that in this office, we are synced up with the United States Attorney's Office. Making our tribal lands safer is a priority for the FBI… and this kind of collaboration is critical to success."

United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen meeting with Beltrami County Attorney's Office and Red Lake Tribal Council

A subsequent community meeting allowed residents to voice concerns regarding cases, jurisdictional questions, and matters that have had especially significant impacts on families. Community members sought clarity on how federal and tribal agencies divide investigative responsibilities. United States Attorney Rosen and Red Lake Department of Public Safety representatives addressed these questions and reiterated efforts to improve communication and transparency.

United States Attorney Rosen's team concluded the visit with additional discussions with the Red Lake Department of Public Safety regarding coordination on active cases, resource needs, and ongoing collaboration aimed at reducing violent crime and drug trafficking.

Joining the visit were First Assistant United States Attorney Joseph S. Teirab, Assistant United States Attorneys Mary Riverso and Dana Joseph, Tribal Victim Assistance Specialist Krysta Gordon, and Public Affairs Specialist Hoang Bui.