The Nisqually Tribe of Washington is being accused of letting serious criminals and drug-dealers go free by a former police officer and a county sheriff.

According to an investigation by KIRO-TV, the tribal police caught drug dealer Gregory Horn on the reservation with a large amount of marijuana and methamphetamine. He thought he was going for prison but was surprised when the police let him go.

Former officer Barry Hagmann said he was part of the drug bust but he doesn't know where all the contraband went. And neither does Thurston County Sheriff Gary Edwards, who said he wasn't notified by the tribal police.

Edwards alleges the tribe has covered up other cases as well. "We've had serious cases; child molestation, child rape, those type of things, where the tribe has chosen to impose their rules on the defendant and basically give him a slap on the hand," he tells KIRO-TV.

Hagmann said he and another officer were fired for raising concerns about the lack of reporting to local authorities for crimes that could be prosecuted in state court. The tribe lacks criminal jurisdiction over non-Indians.

Get the Story:
Gamblers Warned About Justice On Reservation (KIRO 5/3)

Relevant Links:
Nisqually Indian Tribe - http://www.nisqually-nsn.gov