Ex-Rosebud Police Captain Calvin Waln Pleads Not Guilty to Wire Fraud

Calvin Waln, Jr., a 41-year-old man from Mission, South Dakota, and former captain of the Rosebud Tribal Police, is facing the federal firestorm after being indicted on 22 counts of wire fraud. The charges, unsealed this week, paint a damning picture of a man who allegedly exploited financial systems while holding one of the reservation’s most trusted law enforcement roles.

Waln, also known as “Hawkeye” Waln, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno and formally entered a plea of not guilty. Despite his denial, prosecutors allege he knowingly wrote checks from two financial accounts that were either empty or already closed at the time of issuance. Each count stems from electronic transactions, triggering federal wire fraud statutes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Ron Parsons, announced the indictment after a months-long investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The probe uncovered a pattern of financial deception, with Waln allegedly funneling fraudulent checks through digital banking channels—actions that carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine.

In addition to prison time, Waln faces up to five years of supervised release if convicted. The court may also impose full restitution to victims, though specifics have not yet been disclosed. Authorities stress that the charges are accusations, and Waln is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama is leading the prosecution, building a case that ties digital fraud to a figure once tasked with upholding the law. The irony isn’t lost on locals who once looked to Waln as a guardian of justice on the Rosebud Reservation.

Waln was released on bond as he awaits trial, which is scheduled for May 28, 2019. As the case unfolds, it threatens to shake public trust in tribal law enforcement and spotlight vulnerabilities in financial oversight. For now, the former captain walks free—but under the long shadow of federal indictment.