U.S. Department of Justice

Sheldon J. (Shelly) Sperling

Sheldon.Sperling@usdoj.gov

United States Attorney

Eastern District of Oklahoma

(918)684-5100

NEWS RELEASE

For Release: July 28, 2008
For Further Information Contact: Sheldon J. Sperling, United States Attorney or
Chris Wilson, Assistant United States Attorney

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA - United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling announced today HANNAH ELIZABETH FRANCIS, age 60, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Embezzlement And Theft From An Indian Tribal Organization.

"Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muskogee Creek Nation Attorney General's Office," stated United States Attorney Sheldon J. Sperling. "FRANCIS was indicted on June 18, 2008."

"FRANCIS converted to her own use approximately $7,252.00 from the Muskogee Creek Nation Tax Commission. FRANCIS worked as a counter clerk receiving payments from customers for car tag sales at the time of the offenses. The offenses took place from on or about July 2003 through March 7, 2007. The charges are in violation of Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1163."

"The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the defendant's guilty plea. The Court ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled upon its completion. FRANCIS remains on bond, pending sentencing."

"The statutory range of punishment is up to 10 years imprisonment and/or up to a $250,000.00 fine. Preliminary sentencing guidelines project the defendant could be sentenced to up to 6 months imprisonment."

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