Lack of extradition pact creates lawless haven – Business owner victim on Blackfeet Indian Reservation frustrated by inaction of authorities – Reservation burglary suspects escape scrutiny

"Without some level of accountability and competence, you can’t have economic development here."

How can a business survive in a community that seems at times to border on lawlessness, Brian Kelly wonders.

"I feel like I’m surrounded by Somalian pirates who can come in and take my ship any time they want to — and no one is helping," said Kelly, who owns Glacier Village Restaurant in East Glacier, the Izaak Walton Inn http://www.izaakwaltoninn.com/ in Essex and Eddy’s in West Glacier.

Blackfeet Indian Reservation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfeet_Indian_Reservation

By ERIC NEWHOUSE • Tribune Projects Editor

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090104/NEWS01/901040301/1002/news01

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Crow consider ‘contract law enforcement’

By ERIC NEWHOUSE • Tribune Projects Editor

Frustrated by trying to work within the federal system, the Crow Tribe is considering a radical change to its criminal justice system.

"The tribe is now exploring the possibility of contract law enforcement services," said former U.S. Attorney Sherry Matteucci, who has worked with the Crow Tribe for the past five years.

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090104/NEWS01/901040304/1002/news01

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Reservation burglary suspects escape scrutiny

By ERIC NEWHOUSE • Tribune Projects Editor

A burglary case west of Cut Bank has gone nowhere this fall because tribal authorities won’t prosecute the crime and Glacier County officials have no authority to go onto the reservation and arrest the suspects.

"What really gets me is that they caught these guys red-handed and nothing happens," said Darrell Hall, whose house was burglarized. "They won’t file any charges in tribal court.

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090104/NEWS01/901040303/1002/news01

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Sheriff: Lack of extradition pact creates lawless haven

By ERIC NEWHOUSE • Tribune Projects Editor

For more than a year, Missoula County has tried to extradite Rodney Gervais Jr. from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation to serve a one-year jail sentence for partner/family member assault, but the Blackfeet Tribe has refused to turn him over.

Because Gervais returned to Browning after being accused of probation violations, state officials can’t arrest him without the consent of tribal officials, who point out that the reservation has sovereign status and the tribe is under no obligation to extradite suspects.

Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg said the situation is frustrating.

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090105/NEWS01/901050302/1002/news01