Five indicted after allegations of "Systematic Torture" of Northern Minnesota child

Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff
Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff

(Red Lake Indian Reservation, MN) -- Five northern Minnesota residents are under federal indictment on allegations of "systematic torture, endangerment, neglect, and abuse" of a child.

The indictment was unsealed Friday and accuses 49-year-old Trina Johnson of direct abuse towards a boy in foster care who was in her legal custody.

Bertram Lussier Jr, and her sisters Bobbi Johnson, Ellie Johnson, and Patricia Johnson are charged with aiding and abetting Johnson.

The alleged abuse happened between January 2021 and April 2022 on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.