Paris, Texas Man Pleads Guilty To Theft From Indian Gaming Establishment

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jason Lyle Mooneyham, age 48, of Paris, Texas, entered a guilty plea to Theft from Indian Gaming Establishments, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1167(b), punishable by not more than 10 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00, or both. 

The Indictment alleges that on or about December 3, 2018,  in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, did abstract willfully and take and carry away with the intent to steal money, funds, and other property of a value in excess of $1,000.00 belonging to the Choctaw Nation Casino and Resort, an Indian gaming establishment operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, pursuant to an ordinance or resolution approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission. The defendant also admitted that he did willfully and take and carry away with the intent to steal money, funds, and other property of a value in excess of $1,000.00 belonging to the Chickasaw Nation Winstar World Casino and Resort.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, U.S. Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the plea and ordered the completion of a presentence investigation report.  

Special Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Jordan represented the United States.