Tom Heffelfinger, the U.S. Attorney for Minnesota who was a major figure in the Red Lake shootings investigation and Indian gaming and law enforcement issues, is stepping down at the end of the month to return to private practice.

Heffelfinger led the probe into the March 21, 2005, shootings at Red Lake. The investigation led to a guilty plea for a non-violent crime by Louis Jourdain, the son of Red Lake Nation Chairman Floyd Jourdain Jr.

In recent months, Heffelfinger has pushed the Bush administration's proposal to limit Indian gaming by changing the definition of Class III devices. He spoke out against the spread of methamphetamine in Indian Country, and sought to overhaul the criminal jurisdiction system on reservations.

Heffelfinger also chaired the Native American Issues subcommittee at the Department of Justice, reporting directly to the U.S. Attorney General.

Get the Story:
LAW ENFORCEMENT: Heffelfinger to quit as U.S. attorney (AP 2/16)

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