A Ponemah man has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to an attempted robbery on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, following a conviction in U.S. District Court. The incident, which unfolded on September 24, 2022, involved Justice Edward Desjarlait, 27, who wielded an unloaded rifle while attempting to rob a residence on the reservation. During the botched attempt, Desjarlait knocked on the homeowner's door and demanded possessions in a hostile exchange before fleeing the scene without any stolen items.

The sentencing, handed down by Judge Joan N. Ericksen on June 5, 2024, also includes three years of supervised release and an order for Desjarlait to pay $500 in restitution. Court documents indicate Desjarlait pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery earlier this year, on February 5. The investigation into the attempted robbery was carried out by local tribal police and federal agencies, resulting in the apprehension and sentencing of Desjarlait.

This case underscores the joint effort by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and federal agencies such as the U.S. Border Patrol, and the FBI, which assisted in the investigation. According to a statement published on the Department of Justice website, the cooperation between tribal and federal law enforcement was pivotal in bringing about a resolution to the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily A. Polachek, who prosecuted the case, lauded the collaboration between the different agencies in dealing with crimes occurring on tribal lands. The successful prosecution of Desjarlait spotlights the ongoing concerns about crime within reservation boundaries and the necessary interagency cooperation to address these incidents effectively. The community of Ponemah, as with many others in proximity to tribal lands, often witnesses the overlap of federal and tribal jurisdictions, in the pursuit of justice.