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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Federal Investigative Surge Produces Four Minnesota Cases Involving Violence in Tribal Communities
Prosecutors announced Minnesota charges as part of a nationwide effort focused on unresolved crimes, including violence against women and children.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 21, 2026). Four defendants were separately charged in Minnesota during this year’s Operation Not Forgotten investigative surge, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.
The charges involve alleged sexual abuse of minors, domestic assault causing substantial bodily injury, strangulation and assault with intent to commit kidnapping. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said most of the Minnesota cases resulted from investigations by the FBI and Red Lake Police Department.
The nationwide operation deployed additional personnel and investigative resources from April 1 through September 30. Authorities reported supporting 548 investigations, making 118 arrests and obtaining federal charges against 41 people across the country. Those figures are national totals.
One Minnesota prosecution identified in the announcement involves Courtney John Barrett Sr., 56, of Red Lake. A separate September announcement states that he was indicted September 22 on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and made an initial court appearance September 25.
According to prosecutors’ description of the indictment, the allegations concern conduct occurring between approximately June 2023 and February 2025. The FBI and Red Lake Police Department investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Joseph.
An indictment is an allegation. Barrett and the other defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Operation Not Forgotten focuses on unresolved crimes in Indian Country, with priority given to cases involving women and children who are missing, murdered or victims of violence.
Authorities encourage people with information about unresolved violent crimes to contact their local FBI office or submit information through tips.fbi.gov.
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