Pine Ridge Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Monies from Indian School

U.S. Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that Robert Leeds, age 35, of Pine Ridge, appeared before U.S. District Judge Richard H. Battey on December 8, 2009, and pled guilty to an Indictment that charged him with Larceny, Aiding and Abetting. The maximum penalty upon conviction is five years imprisonment, three years supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Leeds and two other individuals, Elmarie Tobacco Thunderhawk and Dana Lonehill, stole money and inventory from the Heritage Center, Red Cloud Indian School in excess of $1,000. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy R. Jehangiri. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date was set for February 23, 2010. The defendant was released pending sentencing.