September 29, 2014

Pine Ridge Woman Sentenced for Theft from Indian Tribal Organization

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, woman convicted of Theft from Indian Tribal Organization was sentenced on September 22, 2014, by Chief Judge Jeffrey L. Viken, U.S. District Court.

Lorelei Exendine, age 44, was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and restitution in the amount of $3,214.57.

Exendine was indicted for Theft from Indian Tribal Organization by a federal grand jury on August 27, 2013. She pled guilty on June 2, 2014.

In December 2009, Exendine was serving as president of the Northern Great Plains Emergency Medical Services Association. In that capacity, she planned a conference for emergency medical service providers to be held in Rapid City. The Oglala Sioux Tribe Ambulance Service, an entity of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (OST), had agreed to co-sponsor the conference. Registration fees totaling over $3,000 were sent directly to Exendine, who kept the money for herself instead of sending it to the OST.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathryn N. Rich prosecuted the case.