Calera Resident Pleads Guilty to Theft by Employee of Gaming Establishment on Indian Lands

MUSKOGEE, OK—The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, announced today that VIOLA LANETTE ANDERSON, age 35, of Calera, Oklahoma, pled guilty to Theft by Officer or Employee of Gaming Establishment on Indian Lands, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1168(b) & 2.

Charges arose from an investigation by the Choctaw Nation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. ANDERSON was indicted in December, 2010 along with KERRY RAINA BRYANT, age 40, of Durant, Oklahoma. BRYANT pled guilty on January 21, 2011.

The Indictment alleges that on or about June 20, 2010, the defendants acting conjointly, while ANDERSON was an employee of the Choctaw Casino and Resort, an Indian gaming establishment operated by the Choctaw, did embezzle and wilfully misapply and take and carry away with intent to steal money in excess of $1,000.00, belonging to the Choctaw Casino and Resort.

The Honorable Steven P. Shreder, Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, in Muskogee, accepted the defendant’s guilty plea and ordered the completion of a presentence report. Sentencing will be scheduled following its completion. The defendant will remain on bond pending sentencing.

The statutory range of punishment is up to 20 years’ imprisonment and/or up to $1,000,000.00 in fines.

Assistant United States Attorney Dean Burris represented the United States.