Washington Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Embezzling Tribal Funds and Illegally Possessing Firearms

Spokane – William D. Hyslop, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Chad Jeremy Monaghan, age 42, of Omak, Washington, and an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on June 3, 2019, to one count of embezzling over $1,000 from a Tribal organization, and one count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. Chief United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Monaghan to a 24-month term of imprisonment on each count to run concurrently, to be followed by a three-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison. Chief Judge Rice also ordered Monaghan to pay $107,980 in restitution.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, over a 3-month period, Monaghan embezzled $107,980 from the Colville Fuels, LLC (d/b/a “Tribal Trails Omak”). Tribal Trails Omak is operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and is located on tribal land. Monaghan committed the thefts while working at the store. During its investigation, Colville Tribal Police Department officers obtained a warrant to search Monaghan’s residence, finding $3,000 in U.S. currency and four firearms. Monaghan is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition.

United States Attorney Hyslop said, "The sentence imposed today sends a strong message to those who may steal monies from a Tribal organization and illegally possess firearms. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington is committed to prosecuting aggressively and seeking appropriate punishment for individuals who may engage in such conduct. This case is just one example of the cooperative and successful efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colville Tribal Police Department.”

This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Colville Tribal Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Joseph P. Derrig and Daniel H. Fruchter, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.