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Indian Country

The Qualla Boundary, home to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is located within the Western District of North Carolina. The primary section of the Qualla Boundary spans Swain and Jackson Counties, with smaller out-parcels found in Cherokee, Graham, and Haywood Counties. At its center is the town of Cherokee, which is approximately one hour west of the City of Asheville. 

 

The Eastern Band of Cherokee is the largest federally recognized Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River, currently consisting of over 13,000 enrolled members. The Cherokee Nation once resided in an area spanning eight southern states. The Eastern Band members primarily consist of descendants of Cherokee who resisted or escaped the Trail of Tears, the forcible relocation of several eastern tribes to Indian territory (now Oklahoma) during the 1830's. Today the Eastern Band is one of three federally recognized Cherokee tribes, the other two being the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians (both in Oklahoma).

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina derives its criminal jurisdiction over cases originating from the Qualla Boundary from Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1152 and 1153. This jurisdiction is often (but not always) concurrent with the Cherokee Tribal Court and the state courts of North Carolina.

Alex Scott, Tribal Liaison

AUSA Scott serves as the Tribal Liaison for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina. As Tribal Liaison, he prosecutes all federal crimes arising from the Qualla Boundary and consults and coordinates with tribal justice officials, victim advocates, and law enforcement to address any issues involving the prosecution of criminal cases in Indian Country. In that role he has prosecuted all manner of violent crimes, including murder, aggravated assault, and sex crimes.

AUSA Scott began his career in public service as an Assistant District Attorney in Johnson County, Kansas, from 2013-2021. He joined the United States Attorney’s Office in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2021, where he prosecuted violent crime offenses in Indian Country. He then relocated to the Western District of North Carolina in 2022, where he now serves as Tribal Liaison. AUSA Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri in 2009, and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 2012.

 

 

Updated January 2, 2024