2008 Indian Country Report

U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney District of Arizona

Two Renaissance Square (602) 514-7500
40 North Central Avenue, Suite 1200
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4408

September, 2008

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

          Enclosed is the United States Attorney’s Office’s 2008 Indian Country Report on federal prosecution and civil litigation matters arising in Arizona from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. As you know, in recent years this Office has grown tremendously in part because we are considered in the frontline of illegal immigration and drug trafficking. In the past year, over 14,700 cases were referred to us including approximately 12,500 illegal immigration cases and nearly 1000 drug cases. Despite these increases, the commitment of the individual employees who daily handle criminal and civil matters arising in Arizona’s Indian Country has not waivered.

During this time period we:

•         received 487 cases in Indian Country, an increase of 160 cases from the year before, against multiple defendants while handling on going cases from previous years and participating in on going investigations;
•         participated in a record number of tribal prosecution and law enforcement organizational meetings, consultation and training events to share information, build coordination, and improve the quality of service to Arizona’s Indian Country; and
•         provided training to over 100 tribal police officers to enable them to receive their Special Law Enforcement Commission Cards which allow them to investigate federal crimes in Indian Country.

          This report does not list the names of those who, each day, respond to crimes of violence, provide support to crime victims or who represent the joint interests of the tribal community and the federal government in federal court. These men and women dedicate their lives to public safety and public service for the betterment of our communities and we owe them our gratitude. I am thankful for their efforts and I hope that you will recognize their contributions to fighting crime in Arizona's Indian communities.

Diane J. Humetewa
United States Attorney
District of Arizona

• Indian Country Report 2008 (PDF)

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