Sisseton Woman Sentenced for Theft From an Indian Tribal Organization

Acting United States Attorney Dennis R. Holmes announced that a Sisseton, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization was sentenced on August 30, 2021, by U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann.

Jordyn Juanita Kirk, age 27, was sentenced to five years of probation, restitution to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Court in the amount of $14,463.80, a $3,000 fine, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $100.

Kirk was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 20, 2020.  She pled guilty on May 21, 2021.

The conviction stemmed from incidents that occurred between May 17, 2018, and October 5, 2018.  At the time, Kirk was employed as an executive assistant to the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate (“SWO”) Vice-Chairman.  As part of her job duties, she was responsible for taking possession of money collected by other SWO tribal departments, including the SWO Tribal Court, and delivering it to the SWO Finance Office for deposit.  Kirk stole cash from the SWO Tribal Court and used it for her own purposes.  Kirk covered up her actions by not delivering the accompanying cash collection reports to the SWO Finance Office.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Ann M. Hoffman prosecuted the case.

The case was brought pursuant to The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies, to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud, and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants, and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s Indian country communities.  The Guardians Project is another step of federal law enforcement’s on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and positive action on behalf of tribal communities.  Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the participating agencies include:  Federal Bureau of Investigation; the Offices of Inspector General for the Departments of Interior, Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Agriculture, Transportation, Education, Justice, and Housing and Urban Development; Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division; U.S. Postal Inspector Service; U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General.

For additional information about The Guardians Project, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (605) 330-4400.  To report a suspected crime, please contact law enforcement at the federal agency’s locally listed telephone number.