New Town Woman Indicted For Embezzlement and Theft

BISMARCK – United States Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that Melissa Ann Mandan, aka: Melissa Fyten, age 33, was charged by an Indictment returned on April 4, 2018, for Federal Program Theft and Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization.

The Indictment alleges that Mandan stole in excess of $40,000 worth of funds and amenities from the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation (Three Affiliated Tribes) Infant and Toddler Program while she was employed as an administrative assistant.  The Infant and Toddler Program provides assistance to families whose children, between the ages 0 and 5, have not reached their physical or mental developmental milestones.  The program provides tribal members resources for services to help the children with speech and physical therapy and other services intended to aid the children.  The Indictment also alleges that in addition to stealing money from the Infant and Toddler Program, Mandan also fraudulently used the Infant and Toddler Program account to purchase thousands of dollars worth of goods and food.  Mandan’s Initial Appearance and Arraignment was before Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal, at 2:30 p.m. today, April 9, 2018.  The Indictment in this case is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

            This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

            This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek.

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