TRIBAL JUSTICE NEWS
WEEK OF MAY 5, 2011

New Mexico Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Child (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 29, 2011, Steven Henry Sisneros, a 27-year-old member of the Pueblo of Santa Clara Tribe, was indicted for sexual abuse of a child. If convicted, Sisneros faces up to 15 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release. Sisneros also would be required to register as a sex offender.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-03-29_sisneros_complaint.pdf

New Mexico Man Sentenced for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on March 29, 2011, Daniel Walters, a 42-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Walters was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/2011/2011-03-29_walters_pr.pdf

Montana Woman Indicted for Bribery (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., on March 29, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Strong, Florence A. White Eagle, a 63-year-old resident of Poplar, Mont., was indicted for conspiracy to convert tribal credit program proceeds by federal employees; theft and conversion from an Indian tribal organization; concealment of public corruption; public acts affecting a personal financial interest; bribery; and misprision of a felony.  

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Montana Woman Indicted for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., on March 29, 2011, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn S. Ostby, Natashia Decrane, a 27-year-old resident of Crows Agency, Mont., was indicted for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. If convicted of these charges, Decrane faces up to 40 years in prison, a $2 million fine and four years of supervised release.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

North Dakota Man Sentenced for Burglary (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that during a federal court session on March 28, 2011, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Daniel L. Hovland, Toby P. Young Bear, a 30-year-old resident of Mandaree, N.D., was sentenced to one year and nine months in prison, three years of supervised release, $15,632.48 in restitution and a special assessment of $100 to the Crime Victim’s Fund. Young Bear was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea of burglary.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/press2011.html

Montana Woman Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., on March 30, 2011, before Senior U.S. District Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, Leila Ivernia Cookingham, a 59-year-old resident of Billings, Mont., was sentenced to 48 months in prison, five years of supervised release and a $100 Special Assessment. Cookingham was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

Three Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 28, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann, Errol Medicine, Wynona Medicine and Wilma Medicine, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. If convicted, the Medicine defendants face 10 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, three years of supervised release and a special assessment of $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund. The Medicines’ sentencing has been scheduled for July 11, 2011

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-03-30-Medicine.html

North Dakota Man Sentenced for Distribution of a Controlled Substance (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that during a federal court session on March 28, 2011, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Ralph R. Erickson, Sandra Miller, was sentenced to three years of probation with the first six months to be served as home confinement and a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Fund. Miller was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea of distribution of a controlled substance.

http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel11/mp033011c.htm

Nebraska Man Found Guilty for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska)

U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg announced that during a federal court session on March 30, 2011, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Thomas D. Thalken, Christopher Clay, a 20-year-old resident of  Winnebago, Neb., was found guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Clay faces a maximum of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release on both counts. Clay’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 28, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ne/press/mar/033011_Clay%20verdict.pdf

North Dakota Woman Sentenced for Distribution of a Controlled Substance (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that during a federal court session on March 28, 2011, before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Ralph R. Erickson, Camilla Peltier was sentenced to three years of probation with the first six months to be served as home confinement and a $200 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Fund. Peltier was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea of distribution of a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance in or near a school.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nd/pressreleases/2011/03-31-2011-Peltier%20Sentenced.pdf

Montana Woman Sentenced for Felony Child Abuse and Neglect (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Michael W. Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Billings, Mont., on March 31, 2011, before Chief U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull, Natasha Collette Yarlott, a 30-year-old resident of Crow Agency, Mont., was sentenced to two years probation and a $100 Special Assessment. Yarlott was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to felony child abuse and neglect.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mt/pressreleases/last20.html

North Carolina Man Sentenced for Intent to Distribute Marijuana (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina)

U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins announced that during a federal court session on March 31, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger, Richard Delano Huskey, a 52-year-old member of the Eastern band of Cherokee Tribe, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and four years of supervised release. Huskey was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for possession with intent to distribute at least 100 kilograms of marijuana.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ncw/press/index.html

North Carolina Man Sentenced for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina)

U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins announced that during a federal court session on March 31, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger, Richard Noah Sequoyah, a 31-year-old member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribe, was sentenced to 168 months in prison and five years of supervised release.  Sequoyah was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ncw/press/index.html

North Carolina Man Sentenced for Child Pornography (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina)

U.S. Attorney Anne M. Tompkins announced that during a federal court session on March 31, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Martin Reidinger, Fred Howard Biddix, a 40-year-old member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribe, was sentenced to 360 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release.  Biddix was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of the conduct. 

http://www.justice.gov/usao/ncw/press/index.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Distribution of a Controlled Substance (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on March 28, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann, Winfield Eagleman, a 48-year-old resident of Mobridge, S.D., pleaded guilty to distribution of a controlled substance. If convicted, Eagleman faces a up to 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release and a special assessment of $100 to the Victim Assistance Fund. Eagleman’s sentencing has been scheduled for July 11, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-03-30-Eagleman.html

Two Men Sentenced in Connection with Death of a Juvenile Girl (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced that during a federal court session on March 31, 2011, before U.S. District Court Judge Alan Johnson, Robert Spoonhunter, a 22-year-old resident of Northern Arapaho, Wyo., was sentenced to 156 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Spoonhunter was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea of voluntary manslaughter of a juvenile girl. On Jan. 20, 2011, Kyrean Tillman, a 19-year-old resident of Eastern Shoshone, S.D., was found guilty of accessory after the fact of voluntary manslaughter and sexual abuse of a juvenile girl. Tillman was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson to a total of 80 months in prison and 13 years of supervised release,

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on March 31, 2011, Jerry Tillman, a member of the Wind River Reservation, was indicted on two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. If convicted, Tillman faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. Tillman’s trial has been scheduled for May 31, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on March 31, 2011, Fabian Tarness, a member of the Wind River Reservation, was indicted for involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, Tarness faces up to eight years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on March 31, 2011, Milton Lyle Trosper Jr., a member of the Wind River Reservation, was indicted for assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted, Trosper faces up to 10 years in prison.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on March 31, 2011, Mervin Black, a member of the Wind River Reservation, was indicted for assault with a dangerous weapon which resulted in serious bodily injury.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Wyoming Man Indicted for Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on March 31, 2011, Garnett Rapheal Addison, a member of the Wind River Indian Reservation, was indicted for sexual abuse of a minor. If convicted, Addison faces up to life in prison.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Wyoming Woman Indicted for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily

Harm (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on March 31, 2011, Adelia Rochelle Jenkins, a member of the Wind River Indian Reservation, was indicted on two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. If convicted, Jenkins faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 fine.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Two Wyoming Men Indicted for Theft by an Employee of a Gaming Establishment on Indian Lands (U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming)

U.S. Attorney Christopher A. Crofts announced on March 31, 2011, Tyvan Allen Chee and Dustin Lee Eder, members of the Wind River Indian Reservation, were indicted.  Chee was charged with theft by an employee of a gaming establishment on Indian lands.  Eder was charged with aiding and abetting Chee in the commission of the offense in connection with a scheme involving theft of casino property. If convicted, Chee and Eder face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/wy/pressrel/index.html

Oklahoma Woman Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Funds from an Indian Tribal Organization (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma)

U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats announced that during a federal court session on March 28, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann, Thomasine Arkeketa, a 56-year-old resident of Ponca City, Okla., pleaded guilty to embezzling funds from the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma. Arkekta faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and mandatory restitution.  Arkekta’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/okw/news/2011/2011_03_31_2.html

Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Possess Cocaine (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke announced that during a federal court session on March 30, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann, Willard Pratt, a 30-year-old member of the Gila River Tribe, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute. Pratt faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine. Pratt’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 13, 2011. 

http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/press_releases/2011/PR_03312011_Pratt.pdf

New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session in Albuquerque, N.M., on April 1, 2011, Sterling Silversmith, a 25-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Silversmith faces up to 10 years in prison. Silversmith’s sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

http://www.fbi.gov/albuquerque/press-releases/2011/navajo-man-pleads-guilty-to-federal-assault-charge

New Mexico Man Pleads Guilty to Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session on March 28, 2011, Howard Roy Allen Jr., a 38-year-old member of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, pleaded guilty for failing to update registration as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act. 

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/index.html

New Mexico Man Sentenced for Violating Conditions of Supervised Release (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that during a federal court session on March 30, 2011, before Senior District Judge John Edwards Conway, Gideon Michael Robles, a 24-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to nine months in prison in connection with his conviction of violating the conditions of his supervised release.  

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nm/pr/index.html

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on April 1, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, Curtis Lee New Holy, an 18-year-old resident of Porcupine, S.D., was sentenced to 36 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release and a $100 victim assessment. New Holy was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for abusive sexual contact.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-04-05-New%20Holy.html

New York Man Pleads Guilty to Felon in Possession of a Firearm (U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York)

U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian announced that during a federal court session on March 31, 2011, before U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd, Victor J. Lazore, a 25-year-old resident of Hogansburg, N.Y., pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Lazore’s sentencing has been scheduled for Aug. 26, 2011. 

http://www.justice.gov/usao/nyw/press/index.html

Washington Woman Indicted for Embezzlement of an Indian Tribal Organization (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington)

U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced that during a federal court session on March 31, 2011, before U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd, Angela Jones Ver Hoeven, a 46-year-old member of the Tulalip Tribe, was indicted for embezzlement of an Indian tribal organization. 

http://www.justice.gov/usao/waw/press/2011/mar_2011.html

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Third Degree Burglary (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on April 5, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, John Big Eagle, a 19-year-old resident of Lower Brule, S.D., was sentenced to nine months in prison, two years of supervised release and $925 in restitution. Big Eagle was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for third degree burglary and aiding and abetting. 

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-04-05-Big%20Eagle.html

South Dakota Woman Pleads Guilty to Abuse of a Minor (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on April 1, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, Angela Yellow Horse, a 19-year-old resident of Oglala, S.D., pleaded guilty to abuse of a minor. At sentencing, Yellow Horse faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Yellow Horse’s sentencing date is scheduled for June 20, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-04-06-Yellow%20Horse.html

South Dakota Man Sentenced for Assault with Intent to Commit Murder (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on April 4, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange, Tanner Cyril Garreau, a 20-year-old resident of Eagle Butte, S.D., was sentenced to 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release and a $100 special assessment to the Victim Assistance Fund. Garreau was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for assault with intent to commit murder, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/Pierre-2011-04-05-Garreau.html

Mississippi Man Sentenced for Abusive Sexual Contact with a Child (U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi)

U.S. Attorney John M. Dowdy Jr. announced that during a federal court session on April 5, 2011, before U.S. District Judge David C. Bramlette, William Hickman, a 55-year-old resident of Choctaw, Miss., was sentenced to 48 months in prison and a life time of supervised release. Hickman was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea for abusive sexual contact with a child.  The offense occurred within the boundaries of the Tribal Lands of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.     

http://www.justice.gov/usao/mss/press/index.html

South Dakota Man Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that during a federal court session on April 4, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, Corey Old Horse, a 20-year-old resident of Kyle, S.D., pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor. At sentencing, Old Horse faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Old Horse’s sentencing date is scheduled for July 8, 2011.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/pressreleases/RC-2011-04-06-Old%20Horse.html