Three From Oglala Charged With False Statement And Fraud

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that two men and a woman from Oglala, South Dakota, have been indicted by a federal grand jury for False Statements Relating to Health Care Matters and Attempt to Obtain Controlled Substances by Fraud.

Thelma Tail, age 32, Antone Little Moon, age 33, and Shannon Long Jaw, age 38, were indicted on May 20, 2014.  They appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on May 29 and 30, 2014, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is 5 years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, 1 year of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The charges relate to Tail, Little Moon, and Long Jaw using a fraudulent document in an attempt to obtain Hydrocodone at the Indian Health Services Pharmacy in Pine Ridge on September 16, 2013.

The charges are merely accusations and Tail, Little Moon, and Long Jaw are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The investigation is being conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich is prosecuting the case.

All three were released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has been set for August 5, 2014.