Cayuga Nation Issues Sentences in Nation Court

On December 9, 2024, Cayuga Nation Judge Joseph E. Fahey sentenced defendants Teresa Longboat and Elijah Jimerson on charges stemming from a September 3, 2022, incident.

On that day, defendants Longboat and Jimerson were standing outside of the Nation Police Department, when defendant Longboat chained herself to a gate, blocking all ingress and egress from the Nation Police Department. She was asked by Nation Police to move and subsequently attacked Nation Police and was arrested. During her arrest, defendant Jimerson then charged at Nation Police with a wooden stake. Following each arrest, both defendants were booked without further incident.

On May 22 and 23, 2024, the Cayuga Nation Court held its second set of jury trials. The Nation Prosecutor presented his case against defendants Jimerson and Longboat in a jury trial in Cayuga Nation Court. The defendants were represented by counsel of their choice who presented their defense.

Following the conclusion of the two-day jury trial, and after several hours of jury deliberation, defendant Longboat was found guilty of Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct. Defendant Jimerson was found guilty of Menacing in the Second Degree and Resisting Arrest. He was found not guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree.

On December 9, 2024, Nation Judge Fahey sentenced Longboat to a $2,500 fine. Jimerson was sentenced to time served (one week of jail) and a $2,500 fine.

These cases were the second set to proceed to verdict following the Nation’s exercise of its sovereignty to establish the Cayuga Nation Court.