Little Eagle Woman Sentenced for Theft of a Postal Money Order

United States Attorney Randolph J. Seiler announced that a Little Eagle, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft of a Postal Money Order was sentenced on May 18, 2017, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Lucenda Bobtail Bear, age 35, was sentenced to 8 months in custody, followed by 3 years of supervised release, $275 in restitution, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Bobtail Bear was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 13, 2016. She pled guilty on January 6, 2017.

The conviction stems from an incident sometime between May 1, 2016, and June 20, 2016, when Bobtail Bear entered the Little Eagle Post Office and stole two postal money orders. The postal money orders were for the amounts of $165 and $110. The payee portion was left blank. At no time did Bobtail Bear tender payment to the U.S. Postal Service for these money orders.

Subsequently, Bobtail Bear went to a local pawn shop and purchased two small items from the pawn shop owner. She filled the name of the payee and received the two items she purchased and $245 dollars in change. Bobtail Bear then left the store with her items and cash.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy R. Morley prosecuted the case.

Bobtail Bear was immediately turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.