United States of America v. Larisha Larell Wabaunasee

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with embezzlement and theft from an indian tribal organization in violation 18 U.S.C. 1163.

Reported by: Kent Morlan

While employed by the Caddo Nation, LARISHA LARELL WABAUNASEE, 39, of Anadarko, worked in part at the Caddo Nation Tag Office. Between October 2023 and November 2024, she used an unauthorized point-of-sale account to divert customer payments intended for the Caddo Nation into her personal bank accounts.

On November 4, 2025, a federal grand jury charged Wabaunasee with embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization. On February 2, 2026, Wabaunasee pleaded guilty and admitted she embezzled and stole from the Caddo Nation Tag Office by diverting customer transactions to her personal accounts.

At a sentencing hearing on June 29, 2026, U.S. District Judge Bernard M. Jones, II, sentenced Wabaunasee to serve six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Wabaunasee was also ordered to pay $151,208.25 in restitution. In announcing his sentence, Judge Jones noted the need to impose a just punishment for the offense.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Edgmon prosecuted the case.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 7 months in prison.