09/28/2025
Media Statement: Unjust Imprisonment of Tribal Trustee Lisa Cypress of the Accawmacke Indians of Virginia
We, the members of the Accawmacke Indians of Virginia, are deeply alarmed and outraged by the recent incarceration of our Tribal Trustee, Lisa Cypress, by Northampton County authorities.
Tribal Trustee Cypress has been jailed for executing a quitclaim deed on land that has historically and rightfully belonged to our tribe. It is crucial to state that executing a quitclaim deed is a legal and common real estate transaction—it is not a crime. No one has ever been criminalized under Virginia law for simply quitclaiming property-especially our own documented and crown patented land. There has been no fraud, forgery, or misrepresentation involved in this action.
Despite repeated efforts to resolve this matter legally — including thorough review by competent attorneys, filing motions, and requesting the charges be dropped — the local judge and prosecutor continue to pursue baseless criminal charges. They have refused to dismiss the case and are pressuring Tribal Trustee Cypress to plead guilty to an offense that does not exist under Virginia law.
This unjust treatment undermines the rule of law and the rights of our tribal sovereignty. It represents a troubling abuse of power by the judicial system against Indigenous leadership and communities.
We call on:
The Virginia State Bar to investigate prosecutorial misconduct and judicial overreach in this case.
State and federal authorities to intervene and protect the rights and freedoms of Tribal Trustee Cypress.
The media and public to pay close attention to this miscarriage of justice and support our call for fair treatment under the law.
The Accawmacke Indians of Virginia remain committed to peacefully defending our rights, land, and leadership against unlawful actions.
We urge accountability, fairness, and justice for Tribal Trustee Lisa Cypress and our people.
*If we were of fair skin, would this be happening?
