Wanblee Woman Sentenced for False Statements

From the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of South Dakota:

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Wanblee, South Dakota, woman convicted of False Statements. The sentencing took place on January 30, 2023.

Talana Francine Standing Bear, a/k/a Talana Francine Sitting Up, 40, was sentenced to time already served, 2 years of supervised release, ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and $14,241.65 in restitution.

Standing Bear was indicted for False Statements by a federal grand jury in February of 2021. She pleaded guilty on July 20, 2022.

The charge related to Standing Bear making materially false statements on documentation relating to her minor child’s Social Security disability income. Standing Bear received $13,695.65 in Title XVI Supplemental Security Income and $546 under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program because of these false statements and put those funds to use for her own benefit, rather than her minor child’s benefit.

This case was investigated by the Office of the Inspector General – Social Security Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama prosecuted the case.