NCJ Number
118298
Date Published
1989
Length
33 pages
Annotation
Major crimes committed on three Montana Indian reservations (Fort Peck, Blackfeet, and Northern Cheyenne) and their disposition were surveyed in 1985.
Abstract
Of 337 major crimes reported on the three reservations in 1985, 152 were referred for prosecution, 55 were prosecuted, and 47 resulted in convictions. Of the 337 total, 64 percent involved loss of property (burglary and arson), 21 percent were assaults or kidnappings, 11 percent were of a sexual nature (rape and involuntary sodomy), and 4 percent involved death (murder and manslaughter). Indian suspects were involved in 183 crimes, non-Indian suspects in 16 crimes, and the identity of the remaining 138 suspects was unknown or undocumented. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated 220 of the crimes, the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursued 16, and the two agencies jointly investigated 101. A total of 152 crimes were referred to the U.S. Attorney's Office for prosecution. The remaining 185 crimes were not referred, 109 due to lack of evidence, leads, or suspects; 13 because the Bureau of Indian Affairs referred them to tribal court; 7 because victims either dropped charges or refused to testify; and 4 because of miscellaneous reasons. The U.S. Attorney's Office accepted 55 of the 152 crimes referred for prosecution, 50 of which involved Indian suspects and 5 non-Indian suspects. Of the 55 cases, 47 resulted in convictions, 4 were dismissed, 2 resulted in not guilty verdicts, and 2 resulted in pretrial diversion. Federal policies and guidance applicable to major crimes on Indian reservations and law enforcement training requirements are discussed. 17 tables, 1 figure.