Sheriffs Applaud State and Federal Justice Officials for Bringing Dangerous and Violent Pipeline Protesters to Justice
2016 Standing Rock Protesters Held Accountable for Egregious Illegal Activities
July 18, 2018 – National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) leaders today thanked North Dakota State and US Federal Justice Department officials for bringing dangerous and violent criminals affiliated with pipeline protests to justice. Convicted felon Red Fawn Fallis was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in prison today by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland.
On October 27, 2016 Fallis was carrying a concealed .38-caliber pistol that she discharged three times while she was being arrested by law enforcement in Morton County, ND. In Jan. 2018, Fallis plead guilty to charges of civil disorder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in exchange for a maximum prison sentence of seven years.
“Law enforcement from many states responded to our successful Emergency Management Assistance Compact and put their lives on the line to protect our communities. Today, thanks to the rule of law and the criminal justice system their lives were honored with this sentencing and a dangerous felon was locked up,” said Cass County N.D. Sheriff Paul Laney and NSA board member.
“When called to serve, America’s sheriffs and police responded, and today the justice system agreed that criminal felons like Red Fawn Fallis must be held accountable,” Sheriff Paul Laney said. “This sentencing demonstrates the system works, and all violent, criminal protesters should pay heed: If planning to travel to other areas to hurt law enforcement and stop lawful and approved commerce, think again. Sheriffs and deputies do not take sides in pipeline issues. We do hear the call from fellow sheriffs and answer in their time of need with personnel and help.”
Additionally, violent protester Michael Foster was recently sentenced in February to serve one year in prison for shutting down the Keystone Pipeline in North Dakota during the Standing Rock Protests and his colleague Samuel Jessup of Winooski, Vt., who filmed Foster’s protest, was sentenced to two years of probation for conspiracy.
“Violent criminals who stop lawful commerce should take note,” Jonathan Thompson, NSA’s executive director and CEO, said, “If you break the law, you will be prosecuted and locked away if found guilty. Law enforcement stood together in North Dakota – and we continue to will help our colleagues if and when these outrageous attacks continue across the nation.”
