Federal Court Suppresses Firearms Acquired by Tribal Law Enforcement in Warrantless Search at Warm Springs

Here are the materials in United States v. Fuentes (D. Or.):

Fuentes Motion to Suppress

Government’s Response to Motion to Suppress

DCT Order Granting Suppression Motion

Seminole Tribe Sued in Federal Court under ICRA by Business Partner for Failure to Establish a Tribal Court

Here is the complaint in South Florida Entertainment Inc. v. Seminole Tribe of Florida (S.D. Fla.):

SFE Complaint

Here’s the first paragraph:

1. This action, in material part, seeks declaratory relief wherein SFLE and individual Plaintiffs seek to have this Court declare that the Tribe has violated the Indian Civil Rights Act, 25 U.S.C. § § 1301 and 1302 (the “ICRA”) and to order further necessary and proper relief in favor of SFLE pursuant to 28 US.C. §2202. Among other things, SFLE believes and contends that the Tribe is incapable of meeting its quasi-Constitutional obligation to provide due process of law under the ICRA due to its admitted failure to create and maintain a tribal court system or any other legitimate forum for ensuring compliance with the ICRA and the Constitutional-like protections it is intended to grant to members and non-Tribal members, alike. SFLE also seeks a declaration concerning whether the Tribe’s administration of the issuance of Tribal Liquor Licenses comports with or violates federal law, namely 18 U.S.C. §§1154, 1156 and 1161. SFLE also seeks a judicial declaration that the Tribe has contractually waived sovereign immunity with respect to disputes involving the Tribe, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino which it operates and owns, SPR, and its commercial tenants and subtenants, like SFLE as well as the individual Plaintiffs. Moreover, each Plaintiff alleges that the Tribe solely controls SPR, as indicated in several pieces of correspondence with Plaintiffs. Proof of such control is reflected in Plaintiff’s Composite Exhibit “C” where the Defendant Tribe specifically alleges that it does business as SPR. The individual’s Plaintiffs, PENDLETON and PRIOLO, also allege damages for various tort claims against both Defendants, as stated within the various Counts herein below.

Announcing Forthcoming Book on ICRA: “The Indian Civil Rights Act at Forty”

Continue reading

ICRA Habeas Petition in Robinson Rancheria Disenrollment Cases

Here is the petition in Quitquit v. Robinson Rancheria Citizen Business Council (N.D. Cal.):

Quitquit Habeas Petition

An excerpt:

Petitioners Luwana Quitiquit, Robert Quitiquit, Karen Ramos, Inez Sands, and Reuben Want (Petitioners) are Native Americans currently residing on the tribal lands of the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians in Nice (Lake County), California. They reside in homes they contracted to purchase through a federally-funded, low-income Indian housing program when they were enrolled members of the Robinson Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians tribe. In late 2008, the officers of the Robinson Rancheria Tribal Business Council (Respondents) passed a Resolution to disenroll Petitioners and extinguish all their rights as tribal members. Subsequently, Respondents established a Tribal Court with jurisdiction to hear only eviction cases brought by Respondents. Respondents retained an attorney to evict Petitioners using the newly-established Tribal Court. These evictions culminated in the issuance of a Judgment by the Tribal Court that, when executed, will effectuate the immediate expulsion of Petitioners from their homes on the reservation and from tribal land under threat of arrest and criminal trespass, effectively banishing them.

Wasson v. Pyramid Lake — ICRA Claims Dismissed

Here is the opinion: DCT Dismisses Wasson Complaint.

Our prior post on this case is here.

Federal Suit to Stop Snoqualmie Tribe from Criminal Prosecution of Tribal Council Member

Here is the complaint in Ventura v. Snoqualmie Indian Tribe (W.D. Wash.): Ventura Complaint.

 

Parties Agree that Bustamante v. Valenzuela Ninth Circuit Appeal is Moot

Here are the materials:

Pascua Motion to Dismiss

Bustamante Consent

Opening brief is here, and lower court materials here.

Details here, from the Bustamante filing:

Respondents argue that because Mr. Bustamante has completed his sentence and been released from custody, and because Mr. Bustamante’s habeas petition challenges only the length of his sentence, his appeal should be dismissed on grounds of mootness. Upon review of Respondents’ motion and pertinent authorities, including North Carolina v. Rice, 404 U.S. 244 (1971), Mr. Bustamante, by and through undersigned counsel, agrees with Respondents’ contention and does not oppose Respondents’ motion.

Wasson v. Pyramid Lake Tribe: ICRA etc. Challenge to Tribal Government

Here are the materials:

Tribal Motion to Dismiss

DCT Order Denying Wasson Motion for Injunction

Another Pechanga Membership Challenge Dismissed

Here is the opinion in Liska v. Macarro (S.D. Cal.): DCT Order Dismissing Liska Complaint.

A quote:

On October 14, 2008, Petitioner, proceeding pro se, filed the original petition, captioned “Complaint [for] Writ of Habeas Corpus.” (Doc. No. 1.) Petitioner alleged he is a descendant of the Pechanga Band of Mission Indians (the “Tribe”), but not an enrolled member of the Tribe. The Tribe currently has in place a moratorium on enrolling new members. The petition named as respondents Tribe members Mark Macarro, Mark Calac, Mar Luker, John Magee, Andrew Masiiel, Donna Baron, and Butch Murphy. Petitioner alleged Respondents illegally banished Petitioner from the Tribe without a hearing or due process, in violation of the American Indian Civil Rights Act of 1968 (“ICRA”), 25 U.S.C. §§ 1301, 1302, and 1303. According to Petitioner, he is entitled to be recognized as a member of the Tribe, share in the Tribe’s trust proceeds, and enter the reservation to visit his father’s grave.

Here is the more developed case.

LVD Council Habeas Petition — UPDATED with Exhibits

Here: LVD Council Habeas Petition.

Update (9/10/10): LVD Habeas Exhibits.

Update (9/11/10): LVD Habeas Exhibits Part 2

Amazing materials. Has this ever happened before? Wonder if one of these (a habeas petition on behalf of an entire tribal council) has ever been filed.