Five adults sentenced for child abuse and neglect on Red Lake Reservation

Five members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians have been sentenced to prison for child abuse and 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, 50, directed the torture, endangerment, neglect, and abuse of a child who was in Johnson’s legal custody through a foster care placement.

Records show Johnson was aided and abetted by Bertram Calvin Lussier, Jr., 43, and Johnson’s three sisters, Bobbi Jo Johnson (a/k/a Bobbi Jo Kingbird), 46, Ellie Mae Johnson, 48, and Patricia Ann Johnson, 40, who all regularly assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the care and supervision of the minor victim.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says 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.

On February 29, 2024, Trina Mae Johnson pleaded guilty to 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. She was sentenced Thursday, August 22nd in U.S. District Court by Judge Katherine M. Menendez to 216 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.

On April 15, 2024, Bobbi Jo Johnson was convicted by a federal jury on one count of child neglect—deprivation of food and health care, and one count of child endangerment. She was sentenced August 22nd by Judge Menendez to 72 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Ellie Johnson, Patricia Johnson, and Lussier each pleaded guilty to one count of child endangerment. Ellie Johnson was sentenced to 48 months and three years of supervised release. Patricia Johnson was sentenced to 48 months and three years of supervised release. Lussier was sentenced to 24 months and two years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, with support from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Beltrami County Sherriff’s Office, the Bemidji Police Department, and the Blackduck Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth S. Shnider and Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.