Federal authorities have indicted five people for multiple child abuse charges including torture and neglect on the Red Lake Reservation.
The U-S Attorney’s office says 40-year-old Trina Johnson directed the torture, neglect and abuse of a child in her custody through foster care, between January 2021 and April 2022.
Johnson was aided and abetted by 42-year-old Bertram Lussier Junior and three of Johnson’s sisters: 44-year-old Bobbi Jo, 47-year-old Ellie and 37-year-old Patricia.
Authorities say the abuse included starvation and assaults resulting in serious and substantial physical, mental and emotional harm.
Trina Johnson is charged with one count each of child torture, child neglect and assault.
The four others are charged with child neglect.
All but Ellie Johnson made their initial appearances last Friday.
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(US Justice Dept. release: )
Five members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians have been indicted for multiple child abuse charges including child torture and child neglect on the Red Lake Indian Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
According to court documents, between January 1, 2021, and April 29, 2022, Trina Mae Johnson, 49, directed the torture, endangerment, neglect, and abuse of a child who was in Johnson’s legal custody through a foster care placement. Johnson was aided and abetted by Bertram Calvin Lussier, Jr., 42, and Johnson’s three sisters, Bobbi Jo Johnson (a/k/a Bobbi Jo Kingbird), 44, Ellie Mae Johnson, 47, and Patricia Ann Johnson, 39, who all regularly assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the care and supervision of the minor victim. The abuse included withholding food from the victim to the point of starvation, forcing the victim to stand in uncomfortable positions for long periods of time, and assaulting the victim in various ways. As a result of Johnson’s and her accomplices’ abuse, the victim suffered serious and substantial physical, mental and emotional harm.
Trina Johnson is charged with one count of child torture, one count of child neglect—deprivation of food and health care, one count of child endangerment and one count of assault on a minor with a dangerous weapon. Bobbi Johnson, Ellie Johnson, Patricia Johnson and Lussier, were each charged with one count of child neglect—deprivation of food and health care and one count of child endangerment.
Trina Johnson, Bobbi Johnson, Patricia Johnson, and Lussier all made their initial appearances Friday, January 27, in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby.
Ellie Johnson will make her initial appearance in U.S. District Court before a Magistrate Judge at a later date.
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