A renewed operation is sending a surge of FBI personnel to 10 FBI field offices around the country in order to support investigations of violent crimes in Indian Country and the Uintah Basin is among those receiving reinforcements. The Department of Justice made the announcement this week, emphasizing the focus on unresolved crimes relating to missing and murdered indigenous persons. The FBI will send 60 personnel in the longest and most intense national deployment of FBI resources to address Indian Country crime to date. The FBI will work in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribal law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions using the latest forensic evidence processing tools to solve cases and hold perpetrators accountable. U.S. Attorney’s offices have committed to aggressively prosecute case referrals. “Violent crime has no borders,” shares Acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti, “and the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Utah remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to seek justice in Indian Country cases and protecting public safety.” The announcement shared that at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2025, FBI’s Indian Country program had approximately 4,300 open investigations, including over 900 death investigations, 1,000 child abuse investigations, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations. Operation Not Forgotten renews efforts begun during President Trump’s first term. Combined, these operations have resulted so far in the recovery of 10 child victims, 52 arrests, and 25 indictments.
