Tribal Liaison Named Amid Indian Country Concerns

In a move that has left many in the community wondering, Acting United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler has announced that Troy R. Morley has been named the new Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota.

As part of his new role, Morley will serve as the conduit in matters between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the nine tribes of South Dakota, sparking concerns about the level of influence he will have over the region.

Morley, a seasoned prosecutor with a long history of working in Indian country, joined the U.S. Attorney’s office in 2012 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Pierre branch office.

His primary area of prosecutorial responsibility is in Indian country, and specifically the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, where he has worked closely with local law enforcement to address concerns over crime and public safety.

But despite his experience, some have raised questions about Morley’s past, including his time as Special Judge to the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, where he was criticized for his handling of cases involving tribal members.

Despite these concerns, Morley has been praised for his work in the community, particularly in his efforts to address issues related to reentry and recidivism.

He is currently involved in the formation of a working group to study reentry alternatives with the States of North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and has also been working on a reentry project with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe.

Morley’s appointment has sparked a mix of reactions from the community, with some hailing him as a champion for justice and others questioning his ability to effectively serve as a liaison between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the tribes.

Morley completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and received his law degree, with distinction, from the University of North Dakota.

He is also a veteran of the United States Navy and was a member of the Commission to Study Racial and Ethnic Bias in the North Dakota Court System.

Morley is originally from Grand Forks, North Dakota, and is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.

He and his wife, Abby, live in Pierre, and are the parents of six children.