Memoree Ducheneaux, a 28-year-old woman from Eagle Butte, South Dakota, was sentenced on May 13, 2019, for stealing from an Indian tribal organization — a crime that cut deep into the resources of her own community. The theft, totaling $1,461.93, occurred while she was employed at the Lakota Thrifty Mart, a tribally affiliated business meant to serve the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange handed down the sentence after Ducheneaux pleaded guilty to one count of Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization. Though she avoided prison time, she was ordered to serve one year of probation, pay full restitution of $1,461.93, and contribute $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund — a small price for the breach of trust she committed.
The crime unfolded between November 25, 2016, and August 13, 2017, when Ducheneaux exploited her position at the Lakota Thrifty Mart to steal, embezzle, and convert tribal funds for her own use. The money belonged not to a faceless corporation, but to a community institution designed to sustain economic activity within one of South Dakota’s most underserved Indian country regions.
Ducheneaux was indicted by a federal grand jury on August 14, 2018, and entered her guilty plea on February 20, 2019. The case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services, underscoring the growing partnership between tribal authorities and federal prosecutors in rooting out corruption that harms vulnerable populations.
Prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller, the case was brought under The Guardians Project — a federal initiative targeting fraud, embezzlement, and misuse of funds tied to tribal programs. The project unites multiple federal watchdogs, including the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and multiple federal Offices of Inspector General, to crack down on those who exploit their positions in tribal economies.
The Guardians Project aims to boost accountability and transparency in Indian country. For tips on suspected crimes involving tribal funds, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400 or reach out directly to local federal law enforcement agencies. This case is a reminder: stealing from tribal organizations is not a victimless crime — it’s theft from the community itself.
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Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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