SAN FRANCISCO—A Eureka man was arrested for embezzling federal funds from two Indian tribal organizations, announced Special Agent in Charge Stephanie Douglas of the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office.

Roland Leroy Raymond, 49, was charged by federal criminal complaint after the FBI, Department of the Interior Office of Inspector General, Del Norte County District Attorney’s Office, Yurok Tribal Police, and Yurok Tribe officials found that Raymond and at least two other persons conspired to embezzle approximately $870,000 in federal funds from the Yurok Tribe and from the California Indian Forest and Fire Management Council. The funds, which were diverted for Raymond’s own use, were supposed to go towards forestry research.

Raymond self-surrendered to the Del Norte County authorities and has been in their custody since April 5, 2012, on pending state charges for embezzlement of public funds, embezzlement by grand theft, special allegation of theft in amount exceeding $100,000, and conspiracy to commit a crime. He is currently in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

Raymond made his initial appearance Monday morning in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. This case will be prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of California.

The maximum penalty for violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 1163 is five years’ imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines or twice the gross gain or gross loss.

A criminal complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty.

Source: FBI-San Fransisco