news                      CONTACT:

                                                                                                      Helen Wilkie

                                                                                                      651-260-2420

                                                                                                      helenwilkie@comcast.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Aug. 3, 2009

Arson suspect arrested, held in Duluth

20-year-old man linked to arson of tribal headquarters

NETT LAKE, MINN. – Federal agents arrested a 20-year-old Nett Lake man in connection with the arson that destroyed the Bois Forte Tribal Headquarters July 20.

William Lynn Isham was arrested July 31 by FBI and Bureau of Indian Affairs officers at a Duluth residence where he had been staying.

A criminal complaint and warrant for Isham’s arrest were filed July 30 in U.S. District Court in Duluth, charging Isham with willfully and maliciously setting fire to the Bois Forte Tribal Headquarters in Nett Lake. Isham appeared in federal court later July 31. He remains in custody, awaiting a probable cause hearing.

Under treaty with the U.S. government, Bois Forte is a Sovereign Nation. Bois Forte and Red Lake are the only two reservations in Minnesota that are not under state criminal jurisdiction, according to Public Law 280. Criminal law at Bois Forte is under enforcement by the Federal Government and Tribal Government.

Investigation into the arson was a joint effort by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Bois Forte Police Departments and, by invitation of the FBI, the Minnesota State Fire Marshal. The groups worked swiftly and collaboratively. Once the Fire Marshall’s Office ruled the fire an arson, the Tribal Government offered a reward of up to $14,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. The Tribal Police phone number as well as the Arson Hotline and Crime Stoppers toll free phone number were broadcast throughout the area. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting this case.

- cont. -

“We want to thank the FBI, the BIA, the Fire Marshal and the general public for their collaborative efforts to identify and arrest a suspect,” Bois Forte Tribal Chairman Kevin Leecy said. “It’s good to see so many groups work so quickly and closely. Their work has paid off, and now we’ll let the judicial process take its course, continuing to cooperate whenever and however we can. This is an important step in our journey of healing and moving forward.”

The Bois Forte Fire Department was aided by the Orr Fire Department to squelch the July 20 fire. The blaze completely ruined the Band’s headquarters, which housed the administration, human resources, accounting, grants, planning, registrar and fuel assistance offices as well as the Tribal Council chambers. The key computer server in the finance office was rescued. Much of the information was recovered in back-up record systems and fire-proof cabinets. Tribal employees promptly relocated to the Band’s nearby housing, DNR and school buildings and their administration of vital programs and services continued after a brief interruption.

Bois Forte will hold a ground breaking ceremony on August 11 to begin construction of a new Government and Community Services Facility that will include a Credit Union, community meeting rooms and new government offices to replace those destroyed in the fire.

- end -