ALBANY, NY – Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III organized and led a delegation of federal law enforcement leaders and law enforcement leaders from Canada to visit the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council at the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation near Hogansburg, New York, on June 4.
United States Attorney Sarcone thanked the Tribal Council for hosting the meeting, which included the Special Agents in Charge and leaders from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the U.S. Secret Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, and the New York State Police.
The meeting focused on collaboration between federal agencies and the Tribal Council to further promote public safety and a sense of community on the Akwesasne Territory.
Acting United States Attorney Sarcone said, “Thank you to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council for their gracious welcome and our robust discussion. I look forward to continuing my Office’s strong relationship with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, and federal law enforcement and Canadian partners. We remain committed to working with our Tribal partners to target criminals who exploit the Akwesasne Territory to fuel their greed and to smuggle guns, drugs and people across the U.S.-Canada border.”
FBI Special Agent Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Ensuring the safety of our communities can only be accomplished when we collaborate and leverage our tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement partnerships. This meeting was an important step forward, and the FBI appreciates the U.S. Attorney bringing everyone together for this impactful discussion. FBI Albany is committed to building these relationships and working together to investigate anyone looking to exploit the Akwesasne Territory through criminal activity that endangers the community.”
HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan stated: “I was proud to participate in this historic meeting between members of federal law enforcement and members of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in which we reaffirmed our unwavering commitment to securing our northern border through the power of collaboration. Our long-standing partnership with Canadian law enforcement, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police, the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service and our state, local and federal partners on the HSI Massena Homeland Security Task Force exemplifies the strength of collective action in safeguarding our communities and ensuring the safety of our nation. Together, we are building a safer future.”
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III stated: “The DEA was honored to join with our federal partners in meeting Chief Beverly Cook and the leadership of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council. We are deeply grateful for the time they extended to us. We value the opportunity to build trust, engage in meaningful dialogue, and strengthen our partnership as we work together to protect all communities from the threat of illicit narcotics and fentanyl.”
Bryan Miller, ATF Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division, stated: “ATF New York was honored to join our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in meeting with tribal leaders to discuss shared public safety priorities. Strengthening relationships begins with open dialogue, and we value the opportunity to sit together, listen, and address the issues impacting our communities. Collaboration and mutual respect are essential to keeping all our communities safe.”
Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia stated: “Swanton Sector Border Patrol is committed to maintaining our already remarkable relationship with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Services. Our shared mission is to protect the public while preventing transnational criminal organizations from misusing the territory by smuggling humans, illicit goods, and dangerous contraband across the region.”
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., New York Field Office, stated: “It is incredibly important that IRS-CI continue to build relationships with all our federal, state, local and tribal partners for continued collaboration and cooperation. We look forward to enhancing our financial investigations with more information sharing to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.”
USPIS Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward stated: “I greatly appreciate the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council for their thoughtful welcome and valuable insights shared of Akwesasne’s history and people. This important meeting reinforces our shared commitment to protecting the communities we serve through strategic collaboration and a shared vision among our tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. The United States Postal Inspection Service remains committed to building partnerships and continuing collective efforts in the Akwesasne Territory to protect the U.S. Mail from criminal activity; protect its employees, infrastructure, and customers; and ensure public trust in the mail.”
U.S. Secret Service Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Perras stated: “The value of partnerships is a core tenet of the United States Secret Service and as such, would like to express our sincere gratitude to St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police for their hospitality in hosting our federal partners for an insightful and productive meeting on shared public safety and law enforcement concerns.”
BIA Division of Drug Enforcement Deputy Associate Director Tom Atkinson stated: “The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Division of Drug Enforcement, is honored to have joined the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council for this important dialogue. Opportunities like these strengthen our commitment to collaborative public safety initiatives, and we remain dedicated to building lasting partnerships with all stakeholders involved.”
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Deputy Commander Karine Gagne, Criminal Operations, Eastern Region, stated: “The RCMP remains committed to working closely with our U.S. law enforcement partners to disrupt cross-border criminal activity while respecting the unique policing environment of the Akwesasne territory. This meeting reflects the strength of our cross-border relationships and our collective dedication to working in partnership with the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police and the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service to build trust, address public safety challenges and ensure the safety of all communities on both sides of the border.”
From the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council:
On June 4, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council hosted officials from multiple agencies to strengthen relationships between tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement organizations. Attendees included senior officials from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department and Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service, United States Attorney's Office – Northern District of New York, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, Border Patrol, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, New York State Police, and Royal Mounted Canadian Police Service.
Chief Beverly Cook provided the background for the conversation by presenting “Common Ground,” a comprehensive overview of the United States history with Indigenous people and nations, and how it has affected Akwesasne and the Mohawk people. She included intergenerational impacts of past U.S. policies—especially residential schools and the pervasive environmental contamination affecting the Akwesasne people. Chief Cook explained the legacy of trauma affecting our families, noting that recent studies suggest our population experiences higher rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) compared to our counterparts in surrounding communities. The presentation asserted inherent sovereignty while promoting a fuller understanding of Akwesasne’s history and contemporary challenges as they relate to law enforcement activity and interactions with the Akwesasne people.
The historic meeting was the first time federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies gathered at Akwesasne to discuss concerns and opportunities for greater cooperation to ensure the vibrant community of Akwesasne is kept safe and secure, with our Tribal Police and Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service as the lead agencies. The collaboration with outside law enforcement was addressed as an important step toward strengthening relationships to foster respect for our history, culture, and rights as a recognized sovereign entity responsible to govern and safeguard the Akwesasne Mohawk territory.
The Tribal Council extends its gratitude to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for coordinating all of our law enforcement partners. Niá:wen to all the agencies for visiting Akwesasne and taking the time to learn about the land, the community, and its People.
Pictured in alphabetical order:
Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Anderson
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Chief Beverly Conners
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Chief Michael Conners
Lindsay Day, Administrative Support, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
IRS Supervisory Special Agent Mark Deluca
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Bryan DiGirolamo
Border Patrol Swanton Sector Deputy Chief Patrol Agent Richard Fortunato
HSI Acting Resident Agent in Charge Emily Francis
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Hanlon
HSI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeremiah Healey
DEA Public Affairs Specialist Kenneth Heino
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Sub-Chief Benjamin Herne
DEA Deputy Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Sub-Chief Agnes “Sweets” Jacobs
DEA Associate Special Agent in Charge Daniel Kafafian
HSI Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Sub-Chief Derrick King
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katie Kopita
Plattsburgh RAC Michael Laravia
USPIS Postal Inspector in Charge Ketty Larco-Ward
RCMP Staff Sergeant Philiippe Melançon
ATF Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Shane Nastoff
U.S. Secret Service Acting Special Agent in Charge Charles Perras
Matt Rourke, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Chief of Police
Border Patrol Massena Station Patrol Agent in Charge Jarrod Sanders
United States Attorney John Sarcone
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino
RCMP Inspector Étienne Thauvette
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Police Lt. DeCota Thompson
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Chief Donald Thompson Jr.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig Tremaroli
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