The Justice Department announced an initiative to address unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country, focusing on missing and murdered indigenous persons. The operation, known as Operation Not Forgotten, will deploy 60 FBI personnel to 10 field offices over the next six months. These personnel will rotate in 90-day temporary duty assignments in Albuquerque, Denver, Detroit, Jackson, Miss., Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Portland, Oreg., Seattle, and Salt Lake City.
The operation represents the most extensive deployment of FBI resources to address Indian Country crime to date. The FBI will collaborate with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal law enforcement agencies. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit will assist the FBI, utilizing advanced forensic tools to resolve cases. The U.S. Attorney’s Offices will prosecute case referrals.
“Crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities are unacceptably high. By surging FBI resources and collaborating closely with US Attorneys and Tribal law enforcement to prosecute cases, the Department of Justice will help deliver the accountability that these communities deserve,” commented Attorney General Pam Bondi.
FBI Director Kash Patel stated, “The FBI will manhunt violent criminals on all lands – and Operation Not Forgotten ensures a surge in resources to locate violent offenders on tribal lands and find those who have gone missing.”
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington Teal Luthy Miller highlighted collaboration, stating, “Investigating and prosecuting crimes in Indian Country in collaboration with our tribal partners is critical to our shared mission of addressing public safety in our communities. We welcome the opportunity for continued collaboration as we seek justice on behalf of victims of violent crime.”
As of the start of Fiscal Year 2025, the FBI’s Indian Country program had 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 from President Trump's term under Executive Order 13898. This is the third deployment under the operation, which has so far supported over 500 cases, resulting in the recovery of 10 child victims, 52 arrests, and 25 indictments or judicial complaints. The initiative also builds on resources for cases of missing and murdered indigenous people, supported by the Department’s MMIP Regional Outreach Program.
