FBI lead in Guthrie case has strong North Dakota ties

National news has been dominated for days by the story of the apparent kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, mother of Today Show co-host Savannah Guthrie, from her Tucson, AZ home over the weekend. 

In recent days, the FBI has taken the lead in the case and President Trump has reportedly directed major federal investigative resources to the probe.

Leading the FBI effort in the case is Heith Janke, the former police chief in West Fargo, ND.

During his tenure there, I represented West Fargo’s District 13 and chaired the Judiciary Committee in the North Dakota House of Representatives, so I had close contact with Heith in his local, regional, and state law enforcement role. He had come to the job of police chief after a stint with the FBI and, following it, returned to the Bureau in various leadership roles in Kansas City and elsewhere.

Heith Janke (center), then West Fargo Police Chief, pictured in the House chamber at he North Dakota capitol with West Fargo area representatives.

A graduate of North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota School of Law, Janke is well educated in the law and in has a rich law enforcement background. His breadth of experience has prepared him well for his current assignment.

Janke’s ties to North Dakota are being widely reported by local and regional news outlets.

North Dakotans wish him and FBI agents and staff, as well as local law enforcement in Tucson, the best as they investigate this high profile case. Time is of the essence and the nation awaits, hoping and praying for a positive outcome.