Indictment: Accounting Technician Embezzled Kickapoo Tribal Funds

WICHITA, KAN. – A former accounting technician for the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas was indicted Tuesday on a federal charge of embezzling tribal funds, Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said today.

Heath A. Hopkins, 45, Horton, Kan., is charged with one count of theft from an Indian tribal organization. The indictment alleges that while working for the Kickapoo Tribe Housing Authority Hopkins wrote unauthorized checks to himself on the tribe’s checking account.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. The FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Metzger is prosecuting.

OTHER GRAND JURY INDICTMENTS

Mykell A. Mannie, 20, Wichita, Kan., and Tessa M. Smith, 21, Wichita, Kan., are charged with distribution of heroin (count one), possession of heroin with intent to distribute (count five), and unlawful possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (count six). In addition, Mannie is charged with distribution of heroin (counts two and three), and carrying a firearm in relation to drug trafficking (count four). The crimes are alleged to have occurred in May 2016 in Wichita, Kan.

Upon convictions, the crimes carry the following penalties:

          Counts 1, 2, 3, 5: Not less than 10 years and a dine up to $10 million.

          Counts 4 and 6: Not less than five years and a fine up to $250,000.
 

The Wichita Police Department investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.

Richard A. Lara, 47, Wichita, Kan., is charged with five counts of bank fraud and 12 counts of misapplication of bank funds. The crimes are alleged to have occurred from 2009 to 2014 in Sumner County, Kan., while Lara was an employee of Security State Bank of Wellington.

The indictment alleges Lara received unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.

If convicted, he faces up to 30 years and a fine up to $1 million on each of the counts. The FBI investigated. Assistant U./S. Attorney Welch is prosecuting.

Kortea Gullick, 33, Wichita, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of ammunition following a felony conviction, and one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Aug. 19, 2016, in Sedgwick County, Kan.

If convicted he faces up to 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the firearm charge, and up to five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the other count. The FBI Safe Streets Task Force investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is investigating.

Shawn Eugene Dodson, 28, Grand Island, Neb., is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Aug. 12, 2016, in Wichita, Kan.,

If convicted, he faces up to 20 years a fine up to $1 million. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh is prosecuting.

Sabino Hernandez, Jr., 26. Paramount, Calif., is charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The crime is alleged to have occurred Sept. 12, 2016, in Ellis County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces not less than 10 years and a fine up to $4 million. The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Rodebaugh is prosecuting.

In all cases, defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.