United States Attorney John C. Richter Eastern District of Oklahoma March 28, 2008 CONTACT: Bob Troester                 405/553-8999

SUBJECT: MITCHELL, Wana Lea

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

"Charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation," U.S. Attorney Sperling stated. "MITCHELL was an employee of an Indian tribal organization, namely the Eufaula Indian Community Smokeshop. She embezzled, stole and converted to her own use in excess of $1,000 belonging to the Smokeshop and entrusted to her custody and care as an employee."

"MITCHELL was an employee of the Eufaula Indian Community Smokeshop from 1999 to 2004," continued U.S. Attorney Sperling. "She confessed to voiding cigarette sales and keeping the cash. MITCHELL asserted shock that the loss was so high, but admitted taking $107,137.76 from May 2003 to August 2003. She said she took the money as a "convenience" and that she has a gambling problem."

"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 and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. The defendant remains free on bond pending sentencing."
"The statutory range of punishment is up to five years imprisonment and/or up to $250,000 in fines," stated U.S. Attorney Sperling. "A preliminary guideline calculation of the Sentencing Guidelines projects an advisory sentencing range of 10 to 16 months imprisonment."

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