March 26, 2015

Sallisaw Woman Pleads Guilty to Theft of Federal Program Funds

MUSKOGEE, OK—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced that JOETTA TYLER-HYDE, age 54, of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, pled guilty to an Information charging her with Theft of Federal Program Funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666.

The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Information alleged that from in or about July, 2009, through in or about January, 2013, within the Eastern District of Oklahoma, JOETTA TYLER-HYDE, the defendant herein, being an employee of the City of Roland, said organization receiving in any one year period from 2009 through 2013, benefits in excess of $10,000.00 from the United States, embezzled, stole, and intentionally misapplied property worth at least $5,000.00 which was under the care, custody and control of such organization.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, accepted the defendant’s guilty plea, and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled upon its completion. The defendant remains on bond pending sentencing.

The statutory range of punishment is not more than 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00 or both.

First Assistant United States Attorney Doug Horn represented the United States.