A conservation officer for the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island defended his actions on the day of the state's raid of the reservation.
Thawn Harris, a federally-certified police officer, was one of seven tribal members who were arrested by state troopers who came to the reservation on July 14, 2003, to shut down a tax-free smokeshop.
Harris, 29, said he didn't believe he was breaking the law by telling the state troopers they lacked authority to come on the reservation. He said he was never shown paperwork for a warrant to raid the smokeshop.
Other tribal members who were arrested include Chief Sachem Matthew Thomas, council member Randy Noka and Noka's wife, Bella.
Get the Story:Tribal officer defends resistance at smoke-shop raid (The Providence Journal 3/27)
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