The U.S. Justice Department is increasing its efforts to tackle violent crimes on tribal lands by sending more FBI personnel across the country, including Arizona, through Operation Not Forgotten. This initiative, announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office, is the largest national deployment of resources to address crimes in Indian Country and aims to help investigate a large backlog of cases.
Over a six-month period, a total of 60 FBI agents will rotate through select FBI field offices, including Phoenix. In Arizona, where the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI have a special trust relationship with 22 federally recognized tribes, 11 agents are expected to be spread across offices on a rotating basis. U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine, underlining the importance of public protection, said, "Operation Not Forgotten reflects the continued commitment of the federal government to pursue justice for crime victims in all Native American communities."
Working alongside the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit, the surging FBI resources will collaborate with Tribal law enforcement to process outstanding cases of violent crimes. Special Agent in Charge Jose A. Perez from FBI Phoenix conveyed that daily partnerships with local law enforcement were focused on investigating serious crimes in tribal territories, adding, "this initiative will provide much needed additional resources to help us better serve those same communities by assisting victims and bringing criminals to justice," as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed concern over high crime rates in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, emphasizing the partnership of the FBI and US Attorneys to prosecute cases and thus deliver to these communities the accountability they are due. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI's Indian Country program began Fiscal Year 2025 with approximately 4,300 open cases, including over 900 death, 1,000 child abuse, and more than 500 domestic violence and adult sexual abuse investigations.
The efforts of Operation Not Forgotten extend past actions aimed at addressing missing and murdered indigenous persons. The operation has a track record that includes supporting over 500 cases, leading to 52 arrests and 25 indictories or judicial complaints. Under the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, US Attorneys’ Offices are supplied with attorneys and coordinators to help prevent and attend to cases of missing or murdered indigenous people. FBI Director Kash Patel assured, "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."
