Calynn Gunville, a 27-year-old woman from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, is facing federal charges after being indicted for stealing from an Indian tribal organization. The Department of Justice confirmed that a federal grand jury returned the indictment on February 14, 2018, accusing Gunville of a months-long scheme to siphon funds from the Lakota Thrifty Mart.
According to the indictment, Gunville willfully stole, embezzled, and converted tribal money between February 20, 2017, and August 18, 2017. The Lakota Thrifty Mart, recognized as an Indian tribal organization, allegedly lost significant funds during the period under investigation. Details of the financial manipulation are still under federal review.
Gunville appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on February 23, 2018, where she formally entered a plea of not guilty. She was released on bond pending trial, though no trial date has yet been scheduled. Prosecutors warn that the case could carry serious consequences if Gunville is convicted.
The maximum penalty for the charge is up to 5 years in federal custody and/or a $250,000 fine. Additional penalties include 3 years of supervised release, a $100 payment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and possible court-ordered restitution to the Lakota Thrifty Mart.
The investigation was led by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, highlighting the growing collaboration between tribal authorities and federal prosecutors in financial crime cases. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller is handling the prosecution.
The charge against Gunville is merely an accusation, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As the case unfolds, scrutiny intensifies over internal controls at tribal enterprises and the oversight of public funds within sovereign Native American communities.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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