Full Breakdown
FBI Sets $25,000 Minimum Reward for Unsolved Crimes in Indian Country
8/25/2026, 9:39:43 PM
Core Initiative
The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced a new policy that establishes a minimum reward of $25,000 for information leading to the resolution of more than 50 unsolved homicides and missing-person cases in tribal communities. The policy applies to cases under federal jurisdiction across nearly 200 Native American reservations, where the FBI works alongside the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Background & Context
Violence against Native Americans has long been disproportionate, and many investigations have been hampered by remote locations, limited resources, and mistrust of federal authorities. Prior to the new policy, rewards often started at $5,000 and were sometimes raised to $10,000. The announcement is part of broader initiatives—Operation Steadfast Promise and Operation Not Forgotten—aimed at moving cold cases toward resolution.
Data & Statistics
- Cases covered: > 50 unsolved homicides or missing-person investigations, most less than ten years old; about a dozen have remained open for more than 20 years (AP analysis).
- NCIC data: At the end of 2025, the FBI recorded just under 1,500 active missing-person cases involving Native Americans, though not all fall under federal jurisdiction.
- Reward amounts: The baseline has been raised from $5,000 (or $10,000 in some instances) to a minimum of $25,000. Examples include the reward for the death of Patrick Carlow Sr. (increased from $10,000 to $25,000) and the reward for the Reagan brothers (initially $5,000, later doubled to $25,000).
Official Statements & Responses
The agency highlighted that the reward program is intended to “encourage tipsters to come forward” and is being administered through the Minneapolis Field Office’s resident agency on the Turtle Mountain Reservation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s so hard to get your hopes up like that and think, ‘This is it, we finally got dad’s killer.’ And then nothing comes of it,” — Lisa Carlow
- “The FBI is dedicated to finding justice for all crime victims,” — Christopher D. Dotson
On-the-Ground Reports
- Jon Nicholas Patnaude’s 2017 fatal hit-and-run on the Turtle Mountain Reservation remains open; the FBI asks the public to contact the Minot Resident Agency at 701-852-5071.
What’s Next
The FBI continues to accept tips through its online portal and local resident agencies. Ongoing investigations under Operation Steadfast Promise and Operation Not Forgotten will maintain the $25,000 reward structure until further notice, emphasizing that “one person” could provide the information needed to close these long-standing cases.
