FBI Surge in Indian Country Yields 118 Arrests, 25 Child Victims Found

The Justice Department and the FBI announced Tuesday the results of Operation Not Forgotten 2026, a six-month surge of agents and resources into Indian country. From April 1 through September 30, the operation produced 118 arrests, 41 people charged federally, 25 child victims identified or located and 72 weapons recovered, the department says. FBI agents conducted 990 interviews and 232 search operations.

The surge is in its fourth year and focuses on unresolved cases, with priority on violence against women and children, including those who are missing or murdered. The department says the effort supported 548 case investigations, a 59% increase from 2025. Arrests rose 123% and subjects charged rose 52% over last year, according to the department.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department will always work to deliver justice for victims of violent crime in Indian country, and he credited the FBI, U.S. Attorneys and federal and tribal partners. The FBI surged investigative, intelligence and support personnel on rotating temporary assignments through twelve field offices: Albuquerque, Billings, Detroit, Denver, Jackson, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Portland, Phoenix and Salt Lake City.

In the District of Minnesota, the department says the surge produced four cases charged with violent and sexual offenses, including sexual abuse of minors, domestic assault causing substantial bodily injury, assault by strangulation and assault with intent to commit kidnapping.

The department says the FBI keeps 400 agents dedicated to Indian country and 30 Safe Trails Task Forces. In August 2026 the bureau set a minimum reward of up to $25,000 for all publicly advertised homicide, kidnapping and missing-person cases in Indian country where the FBI has jurisdiction. A separate effort, Operation Steadfast Promise, has opened more than 1,200 new investigations since April, charged 678 subjects, made more than 700 arrests and recovered 2,260 weapons, according to the department. More than 4,000 investigations in Indian country remain open.