McAlester Woman Admits Cherokee Casino Theft

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – Billie Jean Stapp, 46, of McAlester, Oklahoma, has confessed to pilfering funds from the Cherokee Casino in Tahlequah, a brazen act of theft that landed her in federal court. Stapp pled guilty to THEFT FROM GAMING ESTABLISHMENTS ON INDIAN LANDS, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1167. She’s looking at a potential sentence of up to one year behind bars and a hefty fine of up to $100,000.00.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma detailed that the crime occurred on or about January 28, 2012. The information presented alleged that Stapp “abstracted, purloined, willfully misapplied, took and carried away with the intent to steal” less than $1,000.00 belonging to the Cherokee Casino. The casino, operated by the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, is regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

While the amount stolen might seem small to some, the fact that it occurred on sovereign tribal land elevates the offense to a federal crime. This isn’t a simple shoplifting case; it’s a direct violation of federal law designed to protect Indian gaming operations. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service was the agency that initiated and conducted the investigation that ultimately led to Stapp’s guilty plea.

The case wasn’t a quick resolution. Nearly a decade after the alleged theft, Stapp finally faced justice. The wheels of the federal system grind slowly, but they do grind. The investigation likely involved painstaking review of casino surveillance footage, witness interviews, and meticulous accounting to build a solid case against the defendant.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Kimberly E. West accepted Stapp’s plea in Muskogee. The judge has ordered a presentence investigation report, a standard procedure to gather information about the defendant’s background and criminal history to aid in sentencing. This report will provide Judge West with a comprehensive overview of Stapp’s life, potentially influencing the final decision regarding her punishment.

Assistant United States Attorney Edward Snow skillfully prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. Stapp’s sentencing date has not yet been announced, but she now faces the consequences of her actions. This case serves as a stark reminder that stealing from any establishment, especially one operating on Indian land, carries significant legal repercussions.