U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland meets with law officers in South Dakota

SOUTH DAKOTA (KELO) — From sheriffs to police chiefs to federal agents and tribal law enforcement leaders, this morning’s meeting with the attorney general was a who’s who of law enforcement in the state.

“I’m grateful to be here in South Dakota,” said Garland.

Our cameras were not allowed to stick around for the meeting, but the attorney general did talk about several issues, including the successful prosecution of drug dealers, kidnappers, and child molesters.

Softspoken at times, the attorney general appeared to become a bit emotional talking about protecting kids and the arrest of seven suspected sexual predators during the Sturgis Rally.

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“This is this office and this group’s effort to protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Garland.

Before he became Attorney General, Garland was a prosecutor and a judge.U.S. Attorney for South Dakota, Alison Ramsdell, also highlighted a program to locate, apprehend, and prosecute people who exploit children using the Internet,

“We have led the nation consistently in Project Safe Child prosecutions. And every day, we work tirelessly to protect women, children, and families in Indian country from violent crime,” said Ramsdell.

Garland also focused a portion of his prepared remarks on violence on the reservations.And the partnerships with South Dakota’s nine tribal governments in addressing the crisis surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons.

“In June of 2023, the department announced the creation of a new MMIP regional outreach program to prevent and respond to these terrible tragedies. The program has placed a regional coordinator here in South Dakota,” said Garland.

Garland says he and the Department of Justice are committed to working closely with tribal law enforcement to curb violent crime. Garland also traveled to Wagner on Wednesday to meet with tribal leaders and Senator Mike Rounds.