Little Eagle Man Sentenced For Embezzlement And Theft From An Indian Tribal Organization

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Little Eagle, South Dakota, man convicted of Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization was sentenced on May 19, 2014, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Dana Fast Horse, age 46, was sentenced to 1 year of unsupervised probation, a $500 fine, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Fast Horse was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 14, 2013.  He pled guilty on January 10, 2014.

On October 1, 2013, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was contacted by a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe regarding a check she had received from Fast Horse.  According to the tribal member, Fast Horse had presented her with a $4,000.00 check, which he wanted her to cash and split the proceeds with him.  At the time, Fast Horse was Vice Chairman of the Running Antelope District on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.  He was aware that residents were receiving $4,000.00 per household as a result of the Salazar settlements. Fast Horse owned a vacant house, which he wanted the tribal member to claim she was residing in, so she would receive the benefits and split the proceeds with him.

Upon learning this information, two Standing Rock BIA Special Agents directed the tribal member to place a phone call to Fast Horse, which was recorded on a digital handheld recorder.  During the call, the tribal member informed Fast Horse that she had cashed the check he had given her, and asked him if he wanted his half.  A meeting was arranged in which Fast Horse was handed an envelope from the tribal member.  The tribal member then walked away and the two BIA agents immediately arrested Fast Horse. 

Fast Horse consented to an interview with the BIA agents in which he stated that, as Vice Chairman of the Running Antelope District, he knowingly lied to the council by informing them that the tribal member lived in one of his houses, which he knew to be vacant, in order for her to receive a $4,000.00 Salazar check.  Fast Horse also informed the agents that he was to receive a portion of the money as payment for vouching to the council that the tribal member was actually residing in his vacant home.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Agency.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.