Two members of Congress want Leonard Peltier released from federal prison because of COVID-19 concerns

May 14, 2020

UNDATED–Two members of Congress have written a letter to President Trump, asking him to release Leonard Peltier from federal prison because of COVID-19 concerns.

Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico and Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, both Democrats, wrote that Peltier should be freed because of a policy that allows the release of elderly and sick inmates due to the pandemic.

Peltier was sentenced to two life sentenced in federal prison for the 1975 murders of two FBI agents on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Peltier’s supporters argue that he was wrongfully convicted. His 1977 trial was held in Fargo.

The letter, also addressed to U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Federal Bureau of Prisons director Michael Carvajal, says “We respectfully ask that Leonard Peltier be immediately transitioned to his home on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation, North Dakota.”

Peltier is currently at a high security federal prison in Coleman, Florida. He’s 75 years old.