Eagle Butte Man Sentenced for Theft from a Tribal Elderly Nutrition Program

PIERRE - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange, U.S. District Court, has sentenced an Eagle Butte, South Dakota, man convicted of Theft From an Indian Tribal Organization. The sentencing took place on January 23, 2023.

Robert Chasing Hawk, Jr., age 39, was sentenced to two months in federal prison, followed by two  years of supervised release. He was ordered to pay $9,869.86 in restitution to the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Elderly Nutrition Program, and to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

Chasing Hawk, Jr. was indicted for Theft From an Indian Tribal Organization by a federal grand jury in February of 2022. He pleaded guilty on October 4, 2022.

Chasing Hawk, Jr. was an employee for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Elderly Nutrition Program. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Elderly Nutrition Services, Inc. provides reduced price lunch service for elderly tribal members and individuals with disabilities. The Nutrition Center receives funds from State, Federal, and Tribal entities to assist in the feeding of Tribal and non-Tribal members in the community, including the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. As an employee of the Elderly Nutrition Program, Chasing Hawk, Jr. wrote and cashed a total of 17 checks totaling $12,869.86 for his own use and benefit. He later repaid $3,000 of that amount. 

This case was investigated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Miller prosecuted the case.

Chasing Hawk, Jr. was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.