Dakotas Tribal Officials Sentenced for Embezzling

ABERDEEN - The final two officials convicted of embezzling from the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux tribe in the Dakotas have been sentenced for their roles in the crime.

The American News reports that 67-year-old Jacqueline Wanna was sentenced to six months of house arrest and five years of probation, and 52-year-old Tammie Strutz was sentenced to two years in federal prison.

Wanna is the former vice chairwoman of the tribe's Heipa-Veblen district, and Strutz is the former treasurer. They both pleaded guilty earlier to a felony count of aiding and abetting misapplication of tribal funds.

Former district chairman Lloyd LaBelle Jr. was sentenced earlier to 1-1/2 years in prison. Former district secretary Charlene Wanna was sentenced earlier to nearly three years behind bars.

The defendants also must pay nearly $346,000 in restitution.

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