SAN FRANCISCO—A Eureka man was arrested
for embezzling federal funds from two Indian tribal organizations, announced
Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Douglas of the FBI’s San Francisco Field
Office.
Roland Leroy Raymond, 49, was charged by
federal criminal complaint after the FBI, Department of the Interior Office of
Inspector General, Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office, Yurok Tribal
Police, and Yurok Tribe officials found that Raymond and at least two other
persons conspired to embezzle approximately $870,000 in federal funds from the
Yurok Tribe and from the California Indian Forest and Fire Management Council.
The funds, which were diverted for Raymond’s own use, were supposed to go
towards forestry research.
Raymond self-surrendered to the Del
Norte County authorities and has been in their custody since April 5, 2012, on
pending state charges for embezzlement of public funds, embezzlement by grand
theft, special allegation of theft in amount exceeding $100,000, and conspiracy
to commit a crime. He is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Raymond made his initial appearance this
morning in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. This case
will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of
California.
The maximum penalty for violating Title
18, United States Code, Section 1163 is five years’ imprisonment and up to
$250,000 in fines or twice the gross gain or gross loss.
A criminal complaint contains allegations
that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be
innocent until proven guilty.
Members of the media should call FBI
Public Affairs Specialist Julianne Sohn at 415-553-7450.
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