The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana announced today that it has received an allocation for three new criminal Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) positions for Indian Country in Montana from the Department of Justice.

Public safety in tribal communities is a priority for the Department of Justice. In 2009, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr., launched a Department-wide initiative on public safety and victim services in Tribal communities. The Department's initiative addresses critical needs identified by tribal governments in the areas of communication and consultation; prosecution; training; law enforcement; violence against women; and grant-making. As part of the Department's ongoing commitment to Indian Country, its Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriation provided additional resources to United States Attorneys Offices for the prosecution of cases involving violent crime in Indian Country.

On February 19, 2010, the Department of Justice asked each U.S. Attorneys Office with responsibilities in Indian Country to submit a request and justification for additional Indian Country prosecutors. A total of 23 U.S. Attorneys Offices requested 39 AUSA positions and three Community Prosecution Teams. On May 3, 2010, the District of Montana was notified that it had received funding for three additional criminal AUSAs in Indian Country.

In response to the three new criminal Indian Country AUSA positions, U.S. Attorney Michael Cotter for the District of Montana stated: "I am thrilled with the allocation by the Department of three new criminal AUSA positions for Indian Country. The allocation by the Department is another step forward in our efforts to support tribal justice systems; meet our federal law enforcement responsibilities; and address violence against Native women and children."

 

 

Return to Top