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Arizona tribal lands see five new federal cases in six-month crime initiative
Federal officials say Operation Not Forgotten produced charges in five cases on the Navajo Nation and Fort Apache Indian Reservation, including allegations of assault, arson and child sexual abuse. Nationwide, the initiative recorded 118 arrests and 41 federal charges.
Federal authorities announced five new cases involving alleged violent crimes and other offenses on Arizona tribal lands as part of a six-month initiative that ran from April 1 through Sept. 30.
The FBI and U.S. Department of Justice said four cases involved the Navajo Nation: two alleged violent assaults, an arson case and a charge of aggravated sexual abuse involving a child younger than 12. A separate assault case led to a charge on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Officials did not release further details about the Arizona cases in the announcement.
The cases were part of the fourth annual Operation Not Forgotten, a nationwide law enforcement effort focused on crimes in Indian Country. Across the country, officials reported 118 arrests, 41 people federally charged, 25 child victims identified or located, and 72 weapons recovered.
The Justice Department said arrests rose 123% and federal charges increased 52% compared with last year. FBI Director Kash Patel said the operation was intended to reinforce the bureau’s commitment to tribal partners.
The announcements describe charges, not findings of guilt. The federal agencies did not provide case-specific information about the accused or the status of the Arizona proceedings.