Grand jury indicts three for theft, wire fraud against Miss. Band of Choctaw Indians

JACKSON, MS (WDAM) - A grand jury indicted three men on charges of trying to defraud the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians government with false claims for travel reimbursement payments, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Mississippi.

Randy Lamar Anderson, 46, of Conehatta, Kevin Edwards, 47, of Walnut Grove, and Roderick Bell, 40, of Philadelphia, were indicted for theft or embezzlement and wire fraud.

Anderson and Edwards are charged with one count of theft and two counts of wire fraud. Bell is charged with one count of theft and one count of wire fraud.

The indictment alleges that between March 2015 and December 2017. the three men forged hotel bills and receipts and submitted those documents to the Tribal government for reimbursement for official business travel.

Anderson and Bell are scheduled to appear in court for their arraignment on Feb. 13 while Edwards is set to appear on Feb. 12.

Theft or embezzlement from a Tribal Organization carries a maximum sentence of imprisonment of five years and wire fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years. Each charge can carry a fine of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.