Redwolf Pope, a man described in the media as a "tribal" or "Native" activist, has been arrested on sexual assault charges.
Pope was arrested in Arizona on Tuesday, a day after authorities in neighboring New Mexico issued a warrant for him, The Associated Press reported. He is accused of sexually assaulting women who appeared to be unconscious and recording videos of his encounters.
The incidents occurred in Santa Fe but authorities believe Pope may have committed similar crimes in Washington, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported. He has been under investigation for more than a month, the paper said.
The New Mexican initially described Pope as Tlingit but the
Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska found no record of his enrollment, the paper said in an update to its story.
The AP, on the other hand, noted that Pope has described himself as "Western Shoshone." During a
TEDx Talk in March, he said his was "Shoshone" on his father's side. The description for the video, in which he talked about his experiences with the #NoDAPL movement, also said he was of "Tlingit origin."
"The role he made for himself, the stories of Standing Rock, the comments he’d make to me about protecting and honoring women, talking about ceremonies.... were just opportunities to prey on myself and sisters," one Native woman wrote on social media after learning about Pope's charges. "I feel duped and stupid for giving him the benefit of the doubt."
In the past, Pope has worked for the
Potlatch Fund in Seattle, Washington. The organization's
2006 Winter newsletter said he was "Western Shoshone."
He also listed the
United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, another Seattle organization, as an employer in his
LinkedIn biography.
Read More on the Story:
Arrest warrant issued for tribal activist accused of sexual assaults
(The Santa Fe New Mexican July 24, 2018)
Phoenix police arrest tribal activist wanted on rape charges
(The Santa Fe New Mexican July 25, 2018)
ACTIVIST REDWOLF POPE ARRESTED ON RAPE CHARGES STEMMING FROM VIDEOS
(Native News Online July 25, 2018)
Police: Native American activist accused of rape in Santa Fe
(The Associated Press July 25, 2018)
Phoenix police arrest activist accused of raping unconscious women
(KOB July 26, 2018)
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