A Nigerian man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States over an alleged scheme to steal funds from a casino owned by a Native American tribe in South Dakota.
The indictment, announced by the United States Department of Justice on Wednesday, identified the suspect as Kenneth Godwin.
He was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and unauthorised access to a protected computer in furtherance of fraud.
According to the DOJ, Godwin, who is believed to be residing in Nigeria, could face up to 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine if convicted. Authorities also said he may be subjected to three years of supervised release, restitution payments, and a mandatory $100 contribution to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.
Investigators alleged that between May 2023 and March 2026, Godwin and others conspired to divert funds from Prairie Wind Casino & Hotel in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. The casino is owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Speaking on the case, Parsons said the Federal Bureau of Investigation would continue pursuing suspects regardless of where they are located.
“No agency on earth is better at this than the FBI. They will track down those who steal from and commit fraud against the people of the United States wherever those offenders may be,” he said.
Christopher Dotson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Minneapolis, described the alleged operation as an international business email compromise scheme that caused major financial losses to the tribe.
“This international business e-mail compromise scheme caused substantial financial damage to a business owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota,” he said.
“This indictment is an example of how the FBI operates every day to dismantle and disrupt criminal enterprises in Indian Country and across the United States that target businesses and citizens in communities. The message is clear; we will work with our partners to hold fraudsters accountable.”
The DOJ stressed that the charges remain allegations and that Godwin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The case is being investigated by the FBI, while Assistant US Attorney Ben Patterson is leading the prosecution.
