Flandreau Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization

SIOUX FALLS, SD—U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Marcellaine Wakeman, of Flandreau, appeared before U.S. Magistrate John E. Simko on February 10, 2011, and pled guilty to an indictment that charged her with theft from an indian tribal organization. The maximum penalty upon conviction is one year of imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.

Between January 2010 and July 2010, Marcellaine Wakeman took a laptop computer, a camcorder, and a camera worth over $400 from the Department of Natural Resources of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and pawned them. The investigation was conducted by the Flandreau Police Department and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Wright.

A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for April 15, 2011. The defendant was released on bond pending sentencing.