SCIT and BIA MMU Unit Working Together
7/9/2025 11:07:00 AM - Public Relations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:  July 9, 2025

CONTACT:  Erik Rodriguez, Interim Public Relations Director

                       Call 989-775-4059 or email erodriguez@sagchip.org

Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and Bureau of Indian Affairs, Missing and Murdered Unit, working together to solve MMIP case

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe (SCIT), in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Justice Services, would like to highlight the Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) office located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The MMU was established in 2019, as the Cold Case Unit,  to offer services nationwide and is divided into four regions across the country. The MMU currently operates 26 offices across 15 states.

The office in Mount Pleasant, MI is part of Region 4 which has a very large service area that includes states east of the Mississippi River. Special Agent Nicholas Deplonty is one of two agents that are stationed in the Mount Pleasant office and the agents in Michigan cover primarily Wisconsin and Michigan. The MMU agents have been working out of this office since the spring of 2024. MMU can provide tech and investigative assistance to cold case homicide/missing person’s cases and also has the ability to branch out to human trafficking.  Additional information about the office can be found at https://www.bia.gov/mmu/about.

SCIT Police Chief Harry Ambs explains, “In 2023, I was notified the BIA Missing and Murdered Unit were adding two MMU Agents to the State of Michigan.  The BIA was looking for a tribal police agency that would be willing to house these new agents to investigate missing and murdered cases for the region.  I offered the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department to house the new agents to operate from because of how important this issue is to Indian country. Chief Ambs continues, “In 2024, the new MMU agents were hired and stationed within our department.  Since that time, the MMU agents have been working with our Tribal Police Detectives to help further our own missing person’s case.” 

Investigators from the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Department and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Missing and Murdered Unit are still seeking answers of the disappearance of Augustine Floyd. Augustine Floyd has been missing since October 13, 2007. He was last seen in the Mount Pleasant, MI area traveling in a black 1995 Cadillac Deville with Michigan license plate#: BRK3733. Special Agent Nicholas DePlonty advised, “This case remains open. We are seeking the public’s assistance with any information they may have related to the disappearance of Mr. Floyd. The public can utilize the BIA Missing and Murdered Unit’s tip line to submit information on this case.”

The BIA Missing and Murdered Unit has published a profile on this case which includes reward and tip line information. There is a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the discovery of Augustine Floyd or information leading to the prosecution of suspects. Tips can be submitted via phone, email, or text. For more information, the case profile and reward flyer can be viewed at: https://www.bia.gov/missing-murdered-cases/augustine-floyd.

“Consistent progress has been made on this case since 2007, yet the disappearance of Augustine Floyd remains unsolved. To bring the family closure, we are again seeking the public’s help. If you or someone you know has knowledge related to this case, please use the BIA Missing and Murdered Unit’s tip line to submit the information,” says Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police Detective Neil Schiefer.

To make a tip: email OJS_MMU@bia.gov, text 847411 with keyword BIAMMU, or call 1-833-560-2065. Reference case agent Nicholas Deplonty when submitting a tip.

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