Winnebago Resident Sentenced to Two Years for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

United States Attorney Deborah Gilg, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs announce the following information for the attention of the media:

Event Triggering this Release:

United States District Court Judge Laurie Smith Camp sentenced Ma-Na-Pe-Xoo-Nu-Ga Cleveland to two years’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his conviction for sexual abuse of a minor. The investigation of Cleveland began when the mother of a 13-year-old girl saw inappropriate text messages from Cleveland on her daughter’s phone. The FBI and the BIA were called in to investigate.

Cleveland was employed by the Whirling Thunder Wellness Center in Winnebago, Nebraska, and served as the basketball coach to a team of teenaged girls. During his time as coach, he befriended a 13-year-old player on his team and began giving her rides in his car. The relationship grew to the point where the two exchanged thousands of text messages over a three month period. Eventually the two had consensual sex in Cleveland’s car and in his office. During his change of plea hearing, Cleveland admitted he had sex with the 13-year-old player.

Name of Defendant: Ma-Na-Xoo-Nu-Ga Cleveland

AKA: Haga Cleveland

Age: 31

City of residence: Winnebago, Nebraska

Crime(s) Charged and Potential Penalty (A CHARGE is merely an accusation and every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty): Sexual abuse of a minor in violation of 18 USC §2243(a). The maximum statutory penalty is 15 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and five years of supervised release.

Specific Location of Alleged Crime: Winnebago, Nebraska

Location of Arrest: Winnebago, Nebraska

Alleged Dollar Loss/Type and Quantity of Drug:

Others Charged in Same Scheme:

Relevant Dates:

Date of Alleged Crime: January-February 2009

Federal Arrest Date: May 7, 2009

Date Complaint Issued: May 6, 2009

Indictment Returned Date: May 21, 2009

Initial Appearance Date: May 8, 2009

Plea or Trial and Date(s): November 16, 2009

Sentencing Date: February 8, 2010

Next Court Hearing Type and Date:

Assigned Magistrate Judge: Honorable F.A. Gossett

Held without Bond, or Released from Custody: released from custody

In Continuous Custody Since:

Assigned District Court Judge: Honorable Laurie Smith Camp

Initials of Assigned AUSA/Preparer of THIS Release: DRS