Mariah Pearl Sazue, Embezzlement from an Indian Tribal Organization, South Dakota 2025

Crime: Embezzlement from an Indian Tribal Organization.
Piercing the trust of her former employer, Mariah Pearl Sazue, a 35-year-old woman from Fort Thompson, South Dakota, has been sentenced to federal prison for embezzling funds from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe.

U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte handed down the sentence on July 21, 2025, following an investigation by the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

Sazue served as the Human Resources Director for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe between June 2022 and May 2024. During her tenure, she began submitting timesheets with forged signatures and grossly inflated overtime hours in December 2022. In total, Sazue received $44,627.25 in excess overtime pay before being fired for fraud in May 2024.

When confronted about her actions, Sazue claimed she would never take advantage of the tribe. However, the evidence revealed a different story. The defendant’s scheme was uncovered, and she was subsequently charged with Embezzlement from an Indian Tribal Organization.

As a result of her plea, Sazue was sentenced to three months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $44,627.25 in restitution to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

The case serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency in public institutions. Sazue’s actions not only damaged the trust between the tribe and its employees but also wasted taxpayer dollars.

As Sazue begins her sentence, the community is left to wonder how such a scheme could have gone undetected for so long. While the case may be closed, it raises questions about the internal controls and oversight mechanisms in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Defendant Name: Mariah Pearl Sazue

Exact Criminal Charges: Embezzlement from an Indian Tribal Organization

City and State: Pierre, South Dakota

Exact Date: July 21, 2025

Sentence or Outcome: Three months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $44,627.25 in restitution to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund

Dollar Amounts: $44,627.25 in excess overtime pay, $44,627.25 in restitution to the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund

Defendant’s Age: 35

Related Federal Cases