Six former Crow Creek Sioux Tribe council members– including two former tribal Chairs– have pleaded guilty in federal court to Embezzlement & Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization and Aiding and Abetting.
The final defendant, Brandon Sazue, pleaded guilty this week.
According to the indictment, from about March 2014 through February 2019, Roland Robert Hawk, Sr., Francine Maria Middletent, Roxanne Lynette Sazue, Jacquelyn Ernestine Pease and Brandon Sazue embezzled and converted to their own use over $1,000 in cash or property belonging to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe.
During times relevant to each defendant’s case, Brandon Sazue served as Chair of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, Hawk served as the elected Treasurer of the tribe, Roxanne Sazue was also chair, and Middletent and Grey Owl were elected councilpersons. When not serving in their respective leadership positions, all defendants, except for Brandon Sazue, worked for Hawk in the tribe’s finance office. In their respective leadership roles and employment positions, the defendants had the access and opportunity to the funds that were embezzled from the tribe.
The maximum penalties for each defendant if convicted are as follows: 5 years imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine; 3 years of supervised release; and restitution may be ordered.
All of the defendants were released on bond pending sentencing.
The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities.
