Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

TRIBAL JUSTICE NEWS Nov. 7 – 10, 2011

INDIAN COUNTRY PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES

Multiple Tribal Community Prosecutors Receive Federal Cross-Commissioning (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

From Oct. 31 through Nov. 4, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona held a week-long course to train prosecutors from several of tribal governments in Arizona so they may participate in the federal prosecution of offenders from their communities. The training kicks off the U.S. Attorney’s Office -Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) program. This cross-commissioning is encouraged by the Tribal Law and Order Act and mandated by the District of Arizona’s Operational Plan for Public Safety in Indian Country click. The goal of the Tribal SAUSA program is to train eligible tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable criminal offense is prosecuted in tribal court, federal court or both. The program also allows the tribal prosecutors to co-counsel with federal prosecutors on felony investigations and prosecutions of offenses arising out of their respective tribal communities. After completing training, each tribal SAUSA will be assigned an experienced federal prosecutor assigned to the Violent Crime Section to serve as a mentor and co-counsel on their federal cases.

Third Nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day A Success In The North Country (U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York)

On Nov. 4, U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council and the District Attorneys in the North Country counties of Franklin, Clinton, Essex and St. Lawrence, announced outstanding North Country participation in the third nationwide Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Oct. 29, 2011. The Prescription Drug Take-Back Day promotes drug abuse prevention and public safety by providing the community with an environmentally-safe, “no-questions asked” location to turn in prescription drugs that are no longer needed or are expired. Seventeen North Country law enforcement jurisdictions and communities participated in the Oct. 29 event during which a total of 571 pounds of prescription drugs were collected for safe disposal, with 127.3 pounds from North Country nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In the DEA Pill Take Back Event on Apr. 30, 2011, 451 pounds of prescription drugs were collected. As a result of these efforts, more than 1,021 pounds of prescription drugs were removed from North Country homes and streets through this community action program.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT

Five Sentenced For Their Roles in Meth Ring (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

A combined tribal-federal operation targeting a network of methamphetamine dealers in the San Lucy Village on the Tohono O’odham Nation has now resulted in prison sentences. On Nov. 4, 2011, four defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine or possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Additionally, one defendant was sentenced to probation for charges of managing a drug establishment for the purpose of unlawfully storing, distributing and using controlled substances. The seven-month investigation was led by the Tohono O’odham Police Department’s Anti-Violence Unit (AVU), and the Drug Enforcement Administration Mobil Enforcement Team assisted throughout the investigation.

In the course of the investigation, which began in Aug. 2010, undercover agents made several buys purchasing approximately 46 grams of methamphetamine from various targets of the investigation. On Nov. 17, 2010, the Tohono O’odham Police Department led a multi-jurisdictional task force in an afternoon sweep, including the execution of a federal search warrant at the home of Evelyn Lopez in San Lucy Village, AZ.

Five defendants were arrested and charged as a result of the investigation. Ramon Ordonez, age 33, was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The following three defendants were sentenced to terms of imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Daniel Gannon, age 26, 60 months; Lisa Siquieros, age 29, 30 months; and Angel Siquieros age 31, 14 months. Evelyn Lopez, age 61, was sentenced to three years probation for managing a drug establishment for the purpose of unlawfully storing, distributing and using controlled substances.

Two Plead Guilty to Possessing Marijuana (U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced on Nov. 10, 2011, that Brittany Shaw, 31, of Rosebud, and Matthew Scott, 32, of Mission, appeared before U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on Nov. 9, 2011, and pleaded guilty to a Superseding Information that charged them with Possession of Marijuana. The maximum penalty upon conviction is one year in custody, a minimum of $1,000 up to a $100,000 fine, or both. On Sept. 22, 2010, a tribal search warrant was obtained for the residence where Brittany Shaw and Matt Scott lived. Law enforcement found and seized items that included individually packaged baggies of marijuana (8.72 ounces), a plastic baggy containing marijuana (.49 ounces); a sweater that held a baggy of marijuana (.47 ounces); and various drug paraphernalia. Law enforcement also seized $356 from the residence that was obtained, directly or indirectly, as a result of selling marijuana, or was intended to be used, in any manner or part, to commit and to facilitate the possession of marijuana. The investigation was conducted by Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. The sentencing date was set for Jan. 10, 2012.

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PUBLIC CORRUPTION

San Carlos Woman Charged With Theft And Embezzlement Is Fugitive (U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona)

A federal grand jury in Phoenix recently returned a two count indictment against Holly Faye Youvella, 33, of San Carlos, AZ., for Embezzlement and Theft of Over $270,000 of Tribal Funds. After she was indicted on Oct. 25, 2011 and an arrest warrant was issued, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) sought to arrest Youvella on the outstanding charges and have been unable to locate her. Youvella was last seen on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation and her current whereabouts are unknown. The FBI has issued a wanted poster (attached). The FBI and the BIA are asking the public’s assistance regarding the whereabouts of Holly Faye Youvella. Anyone with information regarding the location of Youvella is asked to contact the FBI at (602) 279-5511 or the BIA at (928) 338-5371.

Poplar Woman Sentenced to More than Four Years in Prison for Embezzlement (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on Nov. 7, 2011, Florence A. White Eagle, 63, of Poplar, was sentenced to 51 months in prison and to pay $3,810.42 in restitution, plus a special assessment of $600. White Eagle was sentenced after a federal district court trial in which she was found guilty of Count I - Conspiracy, Count II - Theft From an Indian Tribal Organization, Count III - Bribery, Count IV - Concealment of Public Corruption, Count V - Engaging in Public Acts Affecting a Personal Financial Interest, and Count VI - Misprision of a Felony. From Aug. 12, 1999, to May 29, 2009, hundreds of fraudulent checks exceeding $1 million were issued from the checking accounts of the Fort Peck Tribal Credit Department. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged and convicted ten individuals related to the same fraudulent scheme, including White Eagle.

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VIOLENT CRIME PROSECUTION

Navajo Man Sentenced To 33 Months For Dui-Related Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

Felix Washburn, 22, was sentenced on Nov. 9, 2011 to 33 months in prison to be followed by a three term of supervised release for his involuntary manslaughter conviction. Washburn, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is in federal custody and is serving his sentence. U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Washburn pleaded guilty to killing Mae Tyler, a 48-year-old Navajo woman, on May 25, 2010, while operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol near Sanostee, N.M., which is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation.

Court Revokes Supervised Release Of Tonkawa Man Convicted Of Assaulting Girlfriend (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma)

On Nov. 4, 2011, U.S. District Judge Tim Leonard has revoked the supervised release of Tonner Gene Warrior, 31, from Tonkawa, Okla., who was convicted of assault resulting in serious bodily injury for a 2008 assault on his girlfriend at a residence on Indian land at Fort Oakland Reserve, near Tonkawa, Okla., announced Sanford C. Coats, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Lame Deer Man Pleads Guilty to Assault (U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana)

U.S. Attorney Mike Cotter announced that during a federal court session in Billings, on Nov. 9, 2011, John Henry Knows His Gun, Jr., 21, of Lame Deer, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury that occurred Dec. 29, 2010 on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. During the assault, Know His Gun hit the victim in the head twice with an ax handle, splitting the victim’s head open. Knows His Gun faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release. Sentencing has been set for Feb. 8, 2012.

Spirit Lake Man Found Guilty of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse (U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota)

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Nov. 3, 2011, Joseph Brown, Jr. of St. Michael, N.D., was found guilty by federal jury of attempted aggravated sexual abuse following a three day trial. Brown, 59, was found guilty of attempting to rape a young woman while using

force. The incident occurred on Aug. 18, 2009, at Brown’s rural farm on the Spirit

Lake Indian Reservation. The charge of attempted aggravated sexual abuse carries a statutory maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Sentencing for Brown has been scheduled for Jan. 13, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Navajo Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter in Death of a Child (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico)

U.S. Attorney Kenneth Gonzales announced that on Nov. 3, 2011, Gerald Lee, 32, entered a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a Navajo juvenile. Lee, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, admitted that between Feb. 5 and 13, 2010, he knowingly and intentionally killed the juvenile by striking and shaking her. The incident occurred within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation Reservation.

Man Sentenced to Year in Prison for Failing to Register as a Sex Offender (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana)

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on Nov. 8, 2011, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, Henry Thomas Standing Elk, Jr., 34, of Great Falls, appeared for sentencing. Standing Elk was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to failure to register as a sexual offender to a term of 12 months to be followed by five years of supervised release.

Havre Woman Sentenced to More Than Six Years in Prison for Assault (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana)

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on Nov. 7, 2011, Moriah Melissa Ojeda, 21, of Havre, appeared for sentencing. OJEDA was sentenced to a 76 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Ojeda was sentenced in connection with her guilty plea to assault resulting in serious bodily injury related to her stabbing a victim during a Mar. 2011 house party in the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

Blackfeet Man Sentenced For Assault on a Federal Officer (U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana)

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on Nov. 8, 2011, Ronald Charles Peppers, 35, of the Blackfeet Reservation, appeared for sentencing. Peppers was sentenced to 30 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Peppers was sentenced after a federal district court trial in which he was found guilty of assault of an FBI Agent, whom he bit while being arrested during an investigation that followed reports of domestic violence at a residence. The investigation was a cooperative effort between the FBI, the Blackfeet Criminal Investigation Division, and Glacier County Sheriff’s Office.

San Felipe Pueblo Man Receives Eight Year Prison Sentence For Federal Child Sex Abuse Conviction (U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico)

Patrick J. Valencia, 43, was sentenced on Nov. 9, 2011, to eight years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release for a child sexual abuse conviction. Valencia, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of San Felipe, will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence. U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Valencia was indicted on Dec. 15, 2010, and charged with sexually abusing a female victim under 16 years of age on three separate occasions between Jun. 20, 2009 and Jun. 30, 2009. The indictment alleged that the three offenses occurred in Indian County in Sandoval County.

Indictment Unsealed Charging Norman Man With Attempted Arson In Indian Country (U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma)

A federal indictment was unsealed yesterday in Oklahoma City charging Raymond Ray Morris, 40, of Norman, Okla., with attempted arson in Indian country, announced U.S. Attorney Sanford C. Coats. According to the indictment, on Oct. 16, 2011, Morris attempted to set a mobile home on fire in rural Cleveland County, putting the lives of those present in jeopardy. Morris appeared yesterday in Oklahoma City federal court, was ordered detained, with his trial set in Jan. 2012. If convicted, Morris faces up to life in prison.

 

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