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Press Release

Two Individuals Indicted In September 2018 Grand Jury

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Oklahoma
Charges Include Casino Theft And Bank Embezzlement

MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office announced today the results of the September 2018 Federal Grand Jury.

The following named individuals have been charged with a federal crime or crimes by the return of an indictment by the Grand Jury.  A grand jury Indictment does not constitute evidence of guilt.  A grand jury Indictment is a method of bringing formal charges against the defendant.  A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and may not be found guilty unless evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  United States Sentencing Guidelines may be considered, upon conviction, by the sentencing court.  Federal prison sentences are non-parolable.


JEANNIE IRENE STEGNER, age 52, of Valley View, Texas
Theft By Officers Or Employees Of An Indian Gaming Establishment (2 counts) 

The Indictment alleges that on June 9, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, while an employee of the Chickasaw Nation WinStar World Casino and Resort, did embezzle, abstract, purloin, willfully misapply, and take and carry away property of a value of $1,000.00 or less belonging to the Chickasaw Nation WinStar World Casino and Resort, an Indian gaming establishment operated by the Chickasaw Nation, pursuant to an ordinance or resolution approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1168(a), punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both. 

The Indictment further alleges that on June 24, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, while an employee of the Chickasaw Nation WinStar World Casino and Resort, did embezzle, abstract, purloin, willfully misapply, and take and carry away property of a value of $1,000.00 or less belonging to the Chickasaw Nation WinStar World Casino and Resort, an Indian gaming establishment operated by the Chickasaw Nation, pursuant to an ordinance or resolution approved by the National Indian Gaming Commission, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1168(a), punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine up to $250,000.00 or both. 

The charges arose from an investigation by the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. 

Assistant United States Attorney John David Luton


STACEY BECKER LAWSON, age 41, of Henryetta, Oklahoma
Theft, Embezzlement Or Misapplication By Bank Employee

The Indictment alleges that from in or about 2015, the exact date unknown to the Grand Jury, until on or about June 13, 2018, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma, the defendant, being an employee of, and connected in a capacity with, American Exchange Bank of Henryetta, Oklahoma, a bank whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, with intent to injure and defraud the said American Exchange Bank of Henryetta, Oklahoma, willfully misapplied, embezzled, abstracted, and purloined more than $1,000.00 of the moneys, funds, assets and securities entrusted to the custody and care of American Exchange Bank of Henryetta, Oklahoma, in that the defendant withdrew cash and transferred funds from the bank and misapplied, embezzled, abstracted and purloined the funds, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 656, punishable not more than 30 years imprisonment, a fine up to $1,000,000.00 or both.

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

Assistant United States Attorney Clay Compton

Updated September 14, 2018

Topics
Financial Fraud
Indian Country Law and Justice