St. Marks released on $300 bail

Chippewa Cree Tribal Council Chair Ken Blatt St. Marks was bailed out on $300 bail Wednesday, shortly after being arrested on trespass charges for trying to enter his office in tribal headquarters.

"They charged me with trespass," he said. "How can I be trespassing when I was on tribal property, and I'm a member of the tribe and chairman of the tribe?"

Joel Rosette, deputy attorney general for the tribe, said St. Marks was warned in papers served on him last week that he is to stay away from tribal headquarters. Rocky Boy police have told St. Marks every morning to stay away, he said.

A hearing will be held later to determine the next step in the case.

The tribal council unanimously voted Friday to suspend St. Marks and hold a hearing at 9 a.m. Monday on whether he should be permanently removed from the post.

The eight council members will hear witnesses from both sides at Monday's hearing, Rosette said.

Then can make a decision immediately following the hearing or postpone a decision.

Rosette said the meeting will be closed to the public to protect the privacy of some of the witnesses who have made allegations against St. Marks.