BENSON COUNTY – TRF News – The Spirit Lake Tribal Council is urging members to report any incidents or concerns after serious charges were filed against Benson County’s chief deputy for alleged misconduct, including wrongful arrests of Indigenous people.
In a statement released Tuesday, Tribal Chairwoman Lonna Jackson-Street emphasized the importance of community trust and accountability. “We must listen to the stories of our tribal members and prioritize their safety within our reservation boundaries,” she said. “We stand in solidarity with those affected and encourage all members to report any incidents or concerns to our Spirit Lake Victim Services.”
Victim Services can be reached at (701) 766-1816. Concerns can also be reported to the Fort Totten Police Department at (701) 766-4231.
Former Deputy Chief Travis Lee Carlson was arrested in late July and charged with 12 criminal counts, including tampering with public records, official oppression for unlawful arrest, refusal to perform a public servant’s duty, failure to appear as a witness, and disorderly conduct harassment.
Court documents allege Carlson arrested two tribal members on tribal land without Bureau of Indian Affairs authority. He then allegedly transported them for an extradition hearing that was legally impossible before jailing them outside reservation boundaries.
The council condemned the alleged actions but stressed the importance of due process. “Our priority is to ensure that every member feels safe, heard, and supported,” the release said.
The statement also highlighted broader public safety challenges, noting that more than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, often by non-Native perpetrators.
Carlson appeared in court on July 25 for a bond hearing and was released on a $10,000 cash or surety bond. Multiple judges recused themselves from the case, likely due to prior working relationships with Carlson. Judge Jay Knudson of the Northeast Central Judicial District is now assigned to the case.
No future hearings are currently scheduled.
For more information on tribal law enforcement and public safety, visit the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Tribal Justice.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Travis Lee Carlson