Audio Transcript

Ms. Ballew: The FBI’s Indian Country program addresses the most egregious crimes on Native Indian lands where the Bureau has responsibility. 

Mr. Quinlan: “Those would be serious felonies such as murder, manslaughter, kidnapping.”

Ms. Ballew: Supervisory Special Agent John Quinlan at FBI Headquarters says the FBI gains jurisdiction for these crimes through the Major Crimes Act. 

Mr. Quinlan: “That spells out what crimes that we are responsible for investigating. Primarily they are serious felonies, and the misdemeanor crimes fall within the jurisdiction of each tribal government.”   

Ms. Ballew: The FBI partners with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, local, state, tribal, city, and county law enforcement across the country in Safe Trails Task Forces. There are currently 19 such partnerships.

Mr. Quinlan: “The Safe Trails Task Force mission is primarily focused on combating violent crime and drug crime and gangs on Indian reservations.”  

Ms. Ballew: Quinlan says the FBI is also the investigative body for Indian gaming casinos. I’m Denise Ballew of the Bureau, and that’s what’s happening at the “FBI, This Week.”