Kayline Joy LaBelle, Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization, South Dakota 2023

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced Kayline Joy LaBelle, 46, of Waubay, South Dakota, to five years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for embezzling more than $150,000 belonging to the Buffalo Lake District of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe.

LaBelle was the elected treasurer of the Buffalo Lake District and stole checks from the tribal organization. She then cashed those stolen checks at various vendors, businesses, and casinos, and she also distributed those stolen checks to her co-defendants. LaBelle used the funds for personal expenditures and her use was unauthorized and unlawful.

LaBelle was indicted for Embezzlement and Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization and Aiding and Abetting by a federal grand jury in July 2023. She pleaded guilty on September 11, 2023.

According to court documents, between 2018 and 2022, LaBelle and others embezzled more than $150,000 belonging to the Buffalo Lake District of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Sioux Tribe. LaBelle was aided and abetted by Elaine Blanche King, Duane Randy LaBelle, Jr., Jacenta Rae Varns, and Shayline Lena Max.

LaBelle was ordered to pay $203,283.13 in restitution and $100 as a statutorily required special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. LaBelle will have to surrender on December 26, 2023, to begin serving her sentence.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri is prosecuting the case.

This case was brought pursuant to the Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sd/pr/waubay-woman-sentenced-federal-prison-embezzlement-and-theft-indian-tribal-organization