Local law enforcement vital in gang take-down
18.05.12
Mille Lacs County Times
At least one Onamia man has been arrested and indicted on RICO charges following a statewide take-down last week in which the Mille Lacs County Sheriffs Department and the Mille Lacs Tribal Police Department participated with dozens of law enforcement agencies across the state.
A federal indictment unsealed in part Wednesday evening, Jan. 25 charges 24 alleged members of the Native Mob gang with conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity and other crimes.
Membership in the Native Mob is estimated at 200, with new members, including juveniles, regularly recruited from communities with large, young, male, Native American populations. Association with the gang is often signified by wearing red and black clothing or sporting gang-related tattoos.
The 47-count indictment was unsealed as to six defendants who made their initial federal court appearances late Wednesday afternoon. They were apprehended earlier Tuesday, during a take-down conducted by between 100 and 150 local, state, federal, and tribal law enforcement officials. Arrests were made on the White Earth, Mille Lacs, and Leech Lake Indian reservations as well as in the Twin Cities.
Source: Mille Lacs County Times