Ute Tribe sues county over arrest within reservation border

Tuesday, December 10, 2013  

The Ute Tribe filed a lawsuit against against authorities in Utah over a traffic stop on the reservation.

The tribe says the Utah Highway Patrol lacked authority to arrest Lesa Ann Jenkins in July 2012. The lawsuit claims the stop occurred within the historic boundaries of the reservation.

For that reason, the tribe says Wasatch County prosecutors lacked jurisdiction to file charges against Jenkins. The lawsuit also names Gov. Gary Herbert (R) and former Attorney General John Swallow as defendants.

Earlier this year, the tribe sued two other counties, accusing them of illegally prosecuting its members.

Get the Story:
Ute Tribe sues Wasatch County over prosecution of tribal member (The Deseret News 12/10)

Ute Tribe accuses county of overstepping criminal jurisdiction (5/2)