Four Red Lake women charged with stealing $10,821 from Red Lake Tribe

   (RLNN) - Four Red Lake members from the Red Lake Indian Reservation were indicted on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 by a federal grand jury on charges of theft from a tribal organization.

      Sandra R. Cobenais, 37, Connie J. Dunkley, 28, Nicole L. Neadeau, 23, and Rose M. Thunder, 22, are alleged to have embezzled $10,821 between October 2001 and January 2002 from the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.

      The money was allegedly stolen periodically over several months in amounts between $1,000 and $2,000 on each occasion, according to the criminal complaint.

      If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. Any sentence would be determined by a judge based on federal sentencing guidelines.

      The case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Red Lake Law Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald is prosecuting the case.