Page 14 - Flathead Beacon // 5.21.14

14 | MAY 21, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM

State Senator, Blackfeet Tribal Council

Member Arrested For Failing To Pay Fine

Blackfeet Chairman says
es, instead handing him a 37-day suspended sentence
Shannon Augare was arrested on and forcing him to buy $200 worth of toys.
After being charged in tribal court, Augare’s law-
May 16 by tribal law enforcement
yers argued he could not be charged in federal court,
too, citing double jeopardy; however, a federal judge
disregarded the claim. On Nov. 7, Augare pleaded guilty
in federal court and was ordered to pay $1,250 in ines,
By JUSTIN FRANZ of the Beacon
a special assessment of $30 and to attend a substance-
A state senator and Blackfeet tribal council mem- abuse treatment class.
ber was arrested last week for not paying a ine after Augare said he has paid all of his ines and even paid
being convicted of obstruction and drunken driving more money upon hearing there was a warrant for his
last year. Blackfeet Tribal Law Enforcement arrested arrest.
council member and state Sen. Shannon Augare on Last week’s arrest was just another chapter in a
May 16, according to Chairman Willie Sharp.
long political saga that has gripped the Northwest
Police acted on an arrest warrant signed by a tribal Tribal councilor and state Sen. Shannon Augare. BEACON FILE PHOTO
Montana reservation. The Blackfeet government has

judge earlier this month. The warrant, signed by Judge been plagued with problems for more than two years,
Marshalene Last Star, states that Augare disobeyed a if’s deputy said he smelled alcohol in the vehicle and but it took a turn for the worse last fall when the nine-
court order to buy $200 worth of toys for the Toys For asked Augare to step out of the car. Augare said the dep- member tribal council split. On one side are Sharp and
Tots program. Augare, who talked to the Associated uty did not have jurisdiction on the Blackfeet Reserva- Forrestina Calf Boss Ribs, who reappointed suspended
Press shortly after news of the arrest warrant broke, tion and then drove of.
tribal members Bill Old Chief, Cheryl Little Dog and
said the scheme was politically motivated and that he Last summer, federal prosecutors charged Augare Paul McEvers. Sharp’s faction also appointed two new
paid his ines last year.
with drunken driving, obstructing a peace oicer and tribal council members last year, Allen Goss and Leon

“This bogus warrant was issued by non-recognized reckless driving. His lawyer contested that the federal Vielle.
judges appointed by the Willie Sharp faction (of the government did not have jurisdiction on the reserva- On the other side of the council are Roger Running
council),” Augare told the AP. “It’s nothing more than tion and that the charges were an issue of tribal sover- Crane, Chief Earl Old Person, Shannon Augare and
political football.”
eignty.
Leonard Guardipee, who don’t recognize the members
Augare was later released on Friday afternoon, ac- Last October, Augare pleaded guilty in tribal court appointed or reappointed by Sharp’s administration.
cording to the AP.
to driving under the inluence and threatening an of- Because the council is split, neither side has a quorum
On May 26, 2013, Augare was pulled over for reck- icer. While Augare faced a ine of $1,150 and up to 37 of seven members, as required in the constitution.
less driving near Cut Bank. The Glacier County sher-
days in jail, Judge Allie Edwards rolled back the charg-
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