Federal Jury Convicts Man of Voluntary Manslaughter and related charges on Menominee Indian Reservation

United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on February 21, 2023, a federal jury in Green Bay convicted Duane A. Waupoose, Jr. (age: 28) of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence, in violation of federal law. The offense related to an armed assault which resulted in the death of a man on the Menominee Indian Reservation. Waupoose and the victim were enrolled members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and formerly resided on the reservation.

The evidence presented at trial showed that around midnight on January 31, 2021, the defendant and others were approached by a group looking to fight another person. A fight broke out in the driveway of a home in the School View area of the Menominee Indian Reservation, and Waupoose received minor injuries after being shot. Waupoose then disarmed the man who shot him and pursued him down the driveway and into the street, striking him with the shotgun.

The evidence also showed that, after the man fled, Waupoose caught up with him approximately 40 yards down the road and repeatedly struck him on his face and head, causing multiple serious injuries which eventually resulted in his death. 

“The jury’s verdict is the direct result of the collaborative effort and hard work of the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the FBI,” stated U.S. Attorney Haanstad. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office is fully committed to working with its federal, state, local, and tribal partners to make all of our communities safer places in which to live and work.   

Waupoose faces at least five years in prison and a maximum of life in prison when he is sentenced by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach on June 2, 2023.

The Menominee Tribal Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case, with assistance from the Menominee Indian Reservation Violent Crime/Safe Trails Task Force.  The Safe Trails Task Force was formed in 2003 by the United States Attorney’s Office, Menominee Tribal Police, FBI, Wisconsin Department of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation, and the Sheriff’s Departments and District Attorney’s Offices of the counties adjoining the reservation to investigate and prosecute violent crimes committed on tribal land.

Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Maier and Peter J. Smyczek prosecuted the case.

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For Additional Information Contact:

Public Information Officer

Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

414-297-1700

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