Former Tribe official, wife plead to money laundering

A former vice chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and his wife pleaded guilty on Feb. 12 in federal court to federal conspiracy and money laundering charges.

Kevin Edwards, 48, and Sheena A. Edwards, 45, entered a plea of guilty to one county of conspiracy to launder money.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, “Between March 2015 and June 2017, the husband and wife are alleged to have forged hotel bills and receipts, and to have submitted those documents to the Tribal government in claims for reimbursement for official business travel by Kevin Edwards.  

“After receiving the unlawful payments from the tribal government, the two defendants cashed and transferred the payments to multiple bank accounts and paid off personal loans in the name of Sheena Edwards.” 

Kevin Edwards was initially indicted on 10 charges and Sheena Edwards on four charges.

Both face a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 20 years imprisonment. Sentencing hearings are set to take place on May 11, in front of U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate.