Courtney John Barrett Sr., 56, of Red Lake, has been indicted on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, according to federal prosecutors. The indictment alleges incidents occurred on at least two occasions between June 2023 and February 2025 involving a victim aged 12 to 16. Barrett made an initial appearance on Sept. 22 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dana Joseph is prosecuting. The Bureau of Indian Affairs assumed control of the tribe's child-welfare agency on Sept. 14 after a federal search warrant was executed on Sept. 10; the matter remains under investigation.
Red Lake Man Indicted on Two Counts of Sexual Abuse as BIA Assumes Control of Tribal Child Welfare Agency
(photo: Canva)
Courtney John Barrett Sr., 56, of Red Lake, has been indicted on two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, federal prosecutors say. The allegations are the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Red Lake Police Department.
Allegations and Court Proceedings
According to a press release from the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Minnesota, Barrett made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby on Sept. 22. The indictment alleges that Barrett knowingly engaged in, and attempted to engage in, a sexual act with a minor on at least two occasions between approximately June 2023 and February 2025. Court records state the alleged victim was between 12 and 16 years old at the time of the incidents.
Assistant United States Attorney Dana Joseph is prosecuting the case. As with all defendants, Barrett is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
BIA Takeover of Tribal Child Services
On Sept. 14, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) took over operations of Ombimindwaa Gidinawemaaganinaadog, the agency formerly known as Red Lake Family and Children's Services. That move followed a federal search warrant executed by agents on Sept. 10. Officials have not tied the takeover publicly to specific allegations in the indictment, and the situation remains under investigation.
Developing story: Authorities and the U.S. Attorney's Office have indicated the matter is ongoing. We will update this report as new, verified information becomes available.
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