White Earth attorney lauds fed effort

A tribal attorney for the White Earth Nation says a new partnership with federal authorities gives the band an extra tool to tackle crime on the reservation.

Joe Plumer says the band and the Justice Department have spent months figuring out how to coordinate their efforts. Plumer says they'll go after the most dangerous offenders with the longest criminal histories.

Plumer says the band has also been coordinating with sheriffs and prosecutors in the three counties that border the northern Minnesota reservation.

The Justice Department announced the joint effort on Friday, and it starts June 1.