August 7, 2008

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today WANA LEA MITCHELL, age 45, of Eufaula, Oklahoma, was sentenced for Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, in violation of Title 18 U.S.C., Sections 1163 and 2.

"MITCHELL was sentenced to 5 months imprisonment, 36 months supervised release, and ordered to pay a Special Assessment Fee of $100.00," stated U.S. Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. "MITCHELL was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $107,137.76 to the Eufaula Indian Community Smokeshop. The defendant pled guilty to the charge in March 2008."

"Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. From February 14, 2003, through August 31, 2004, MITCHELL, an employee of an Indian tribal organization, namely the Eufaula Indian Community Smokeshop, embezzled, stole, and converted to her own use in excess of $1,000 belonging to said organization and entrusted to her custody and care as an employee," U.S. Attorney Sperling noted.

"MITCHELL was an employee of the Eufaula Indian Community Smokeshop from 1999 to 2004. She confessed to voiding cigarette sales and keeping the cash. MITCHELL was shocked, but admitted to FBI agents it is possible for the loss to be as high as $219,000.00. She said she took the money as a "convenience" and that she has a gambling problem," continued U.S. Attorney Sperling.

"The Honorable Ronald A. White, District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, presided over today's sentencing. The defendant remains free on bond, with a report date to the Bureau of Prisons of Noon on September 5, 2008."

"Assistant United States Attorney Linda Epperley represented the United States."