Former BIA Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Lying to Investigators

# Former BIA Officer Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse and Obstruction

Murrell Deela, a 29-year-old former Bureau of Indian Affairs officer, pleaded guilty on April 2, 2026, to sexually abusing a minor and lying to federal investigators. On August 7, 2024, while on duty at the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Deela encountered a minor who had been apprehended. Instead of transporting her to her family's home as required, he drove her to an alternate location where he sexually assaulted her without consent. The victim disclosed the abuse the following day, and FBI evidence corroborated her account.

Following the incident, Deela attempted to conceal his crime. He intentionally set his patrol vehicle on fire hours before it was scheduled for evidence collection, destroying its video system. An ATF investigation confirmed the fire was deliberate. Deela also filed a false report and initially lied to FBI agents, claiming he had driven the minor directly home with no other stops. He later admitted to the alternate location when confronted with evidence.

Justice Department officials emphasized that Deela's actions represented a severe betrayal of public trust. The case was investigated by the FBI and ATF, with prosecution handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of North Dakota.