JULY 2023:
A U.S. District Court judge, has sentenced a Rapid City woman convicted of Theft from Indian Tribal Organization.
Tiffany LaClaire, age 36, was sentenced to seven months in federal custody, three months of home confinement, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. She was also ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
The defendant had three children, but her parental rights were terminated in 2011 and the children lived with a new family. On July 19, 2021, the defendant fraudulently applied to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and requested $2,000 for each of her former children under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). In the application, she falsely indicated all three children were living with her and in her custody, and thus she was eligible to receive economic assistance for each of the children under the ARP. She was issued checks and used the money. The money never went to the benefit of the three children. Later, the family that was actually caring for the children learned the fraudulent application had been made by the defendant and the matter was reported and investigated.
This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Maher prosecuted the case.
LaClaire was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
NOVEMBER 2022:
A Rapid City woman has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Theft From an Indian Tribal Organization.
Tiffany LaClaire, age 35, pleaded not guilty.
The Indictment alleges that between July 17, 2021, and March 23, 2022, LaClaire did knowingly steal, embezzle, willfully misapply, and convert to her use, the moneys, funds, and assets belonging to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, an Indian Tribal Organization, in an amount greater than $1,000.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to five years in custody and/or a $250,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services.
LaClaire was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial. A trial date has been set for January 3, 2023.
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