Colville tribal leader charged with rape

COEUR d'ALENE - The vice-chairman of the tribal council of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation resigned following an arrest on a rape charge by the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police.

Ernest "Sneena" Brooks III, 40, represented the Omak District on the Colville Business Council. He served on the council since 2011, and was re-elected last year to another two-year term.

He cited "personal reasons" for his resignation, which was announced on Feb. 18, days after his Valentine's Day arrest.

Kootenai County Sheriff's Office spokesman Lt. Stu Miller confirmed Brooks was booked on one count of rape.

Miller said Brooks, an Omak resident, posted a $5,000 bond the same day and was released.

A representative for the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police declined to discuss the circumstances of the arrest, which occurred on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation.

The Colville Business Council is scheduled to meet today to determine who will fill the vacancy.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation is governed by the 14-person council, which oversees a multi-million dollar administration from its headquarters in Nespelem, Wash.

The council members receive a salary for their service.