PIERRE, SD — The grimy truth surfaces as Mariah Pearl Sazue, a 35-year-old from Fort Thompson, faces the cold iron bars of federal prison after being sentenced for embezzling over $44K from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell and Judge Eric C. Schulte delivered the verdict on July 21, 2025.
Sazue, who held the position of Human Resources Director at the tribe from June 2022 to May 2024, was found guilty of inflating overtime hours with forged signatures, leading to a massive financial theft. She was sentenced to three months in federal prison, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $44,627.25 in restitution.
The embezzlement scandal came to light when Sazue was fired for fraud in May 2024. Despite her claims of innocence, the evidence mounted against her. She pleaded guilty on April 17, 2025, acknowledging her role in the heist.
This despicable crime was thoroughly investigated by the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem leading the prosecution. Sazue was immediately remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
As the tribe grapples with this financial betrayal, the community seeks answers and a renewed sense of justice. The sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who abuse trust within tribal organizations.
Related Federal Cases
- Sioux Falls Man Gets 30-Month Cyberstalking Sentence · South Dakota
- Sioux Falls Gun Seller Zafft Gets 37 Months · South Dakota
- Sioux Center Meth Dealer Lopez-Granillo Gets 6+ Years · Minnesota
- Sioux City Man Jailed for Child Porn, Cocaine Haul · Iowa
- Teri Pretty Weasel Indicted in $1K Tribal Bingo Embezzlement · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: South Dakota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|Tribal Issues
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
