Federal prosecutors in New Mexico and three other states are participating in a program that assigns a tribal prosecutor for Indian Country crime.

David Adams will take a three year leave of absence from his job as chief prosecutor for Laguna Pueblo. He will handle Indian Country cases in federal court for the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Mexico.

The program is part of a larger effort at the Department of Justice to tackle high crime rates in Indian Country. Federal prosecutors in states with significant Indian populations have been tasked to consult with tribes and develop a plan to address their issues.

“We’ve really taken literally the attorney general’s charge to all U.S. attorneys to really get an accurate gauge on what is happening in Indian Country,” U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales of New Mexico said in a conference call, The Albuquerque Journal reported.

The effort includes the Tribal Law and Order Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law on July 29, 2010. Attorney General Eric Holder will meet with tribal leaders and visit the Pine Ridge Reservation to mark the anniversary.

Get the Story:
Tribal Prosecutor Assigned to U.S. Court (The Albuquerque Journal 7/27)
Justice Department officials highlight efforts to curb crime on American Indian reservations (AP 7/26)