Porcupine Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Bank Fraud

RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Karen E. Schreier has sentenced a Porcupine, South Dakota, man convicted of Bank Fraud.

Lyle Dean Misun Tibbits, 31, was sentenced to six months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Tibbits was also ordered to pay $22,500 in restitution to Security First Bank.

Investigation showed Tibbits, who was employed as a ranch hand, stole checks from his employer's checkbook and successfully cashed six of them, for a total loss of $22,500. Tibbits' seventh attempt to cash a check was reported as fraudulent. Tibbits was captured on bank video footage cashing the checks. In sentencing Tibbits to a custody term, Judge Schreier stated his choice to steal checks from his employer was "reprehensible." Judge Schreier further required Tibbits to make monthly payments towards the restitution after his release from custody.

This case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Anna Lindrooth prosecuted the case.

Tibbits was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.