Minot woman sentenced to federal prison after stealing more than 51,000 dollars from tribal trust accounts
Minot, North Dakota – A Minot woman has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting her role in a fraud scheme that targeted trust accounts belonging to members of the MHA Nation, resulting in more than $51,000 in stolen funds.
According to U.S. Attorney Nicholas W. Chase, 32-year-old Ranita Lynn Freeman appeared in federal court on June 16, 2026, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland.
Freeman received a sentence of 42 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. She was also ordered to pay $51,500 in restitution after being convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Federal authorities said Freeman, a member of the MHA Nation, carried out two separate fraud schemes between 2020 and 2023 involving Individual Indian Money accounts.
The accounts are managed by the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration and are designed to hold and manage financial assets on behalf of Native Americans whose funds are held in trust by the federal government.
Investigators say woman posed as tribal members
According to court records, Freeman stole $42,000 from one tribal member’s account between August 2020 and January 2021. Authorities said she later targeted a second victim, stealing another $9,500 between January and April 2023.
Prosecutors said Freeman repeatedly contacted the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration’s Fort Berthold Agency and falsely claimed to be the account holders.
During those calls, she allegedly used personal details belonging to the victims, including names, birth dates, and other identifying information, to gain access to funds and arrange withdrawals from the accounts.
Investigators with the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General eventually identified Freeman as the caller. Authorities compared recordings of the fraudulent calls with her voice and concluded she was the person impersonating the account holders.
The stolen funds totaled $51,500.
Additional fraud scheme also resulted in convictions
Federal officials also highlighted a separate but similar fraud case involving two other North Dakota residents.
Authorities said Wareagle Rollingthunder Martin, 39, of Fargo, and Samantha Lynn Rebold, 38, of Fargo, stole $11,695.92 from another MHA Nation tribal member’s Individual Indian Money account between November and December 2022.
According to prosecutors, Rebold obtained photographs containing the victim’s personal identifying information, including a Social Security card and tribal identification card. She then provided the information to Martin.
Martin allegedly used the information while pretending to be the victim during calls to the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration. Authorities said he requested two separate disbursements totaling $11,695.92 be deposited into a bank account under his control.
After receiving the money, Martin and Rebold spent the stolen funds.
Martin was sentenced on Oct. 21, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Daniel M. Traynor to 24 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and restitution of $11,695.92 after being convicted of aggravated identity theft.
Rebold was sentenced on June 18, 2025, to time served, which amounted to seven days in custody, along with three years of supervised release and restitution of $11,695.92 after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
Officials stress impact of fraud crimes
Federal prosecutors said the crimes caused more than financial losses.
“Fraud is especially sinister because it hurts victims in many ways”, said U.S. Attorney Chase. “As this case shows, when criminals steal money through fraud schemes, they often steal something even more personal, the identities of innocent people whose names, financial accounts, and personal information are exploited for criminal gain. Prosecuting fraud and identity theft offenses remains one of the highest priorities of this office because these crimes can cause lasting financial and emotional harm to victims. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to holding fraudsters accountable and protecting the public from those who seek to profit through deception and the misuse of others’ personal information.”
Special Agent in Charge Jamie DePaepe also emphasized the importance of protecting trust account holders.
“These sentences should serve as a deterrent to those who seek to exploit vulnerable account holders by stealing funds that are intended to support thousands of Native Americans and their communities. These funds, held in trust, are vital to the many individuals who rely on them as their sole source of income,” said DePaepe. “We will continue working with the BTFA and our prosecutorial partners to protect account holders and hold those responsible fully accountable.”
The case was investigated by the Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan J. O’Konek. Federal officials noted that the prosecution aligns with broader efforts by the Department of Justice to combat fraud and identity theft through its recently established National Fraud Enforcement Division.
