MUSKOGEE – A Tahlequah man pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking $5,000 from the United Keetoowah Band while working for the tribal housing office.
Earb Mitchell Kimble, 44, was charged with theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. The FBI and Department of Housing and Urban Development and office of the inspector general worked the investigation leading to the charges in federal court. Kimble was represented by local attorney Donn Baker.
Authorities say Kimble embezzled, obtained by fraud or misapplied and knowingly converted more than $5,000 to his own use between April 19, 2002, and June 29, 2004. He was indicted in April 2009.
U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling said Kimble was an agent of the UKB Housing Authority, which received $972,542 in 2002, $968,727 in 2003, and $888,429 in 2004 under a federal program known as the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination, an Indian housing block grant.
U.S. Magistrate Kimberly West accepted the plea and ordered a pre-sentence investigation. Sentencing will be set on its completion, and Kimble will remain free on bond until then. The range of punishment is up to 10 years and $250,000 in fines. A preliminary calculation of the sentencing guidelines projects an advisory sentencing range of 18-24 months.
Local News
Kimble pleads guilty in UKB scam
- Local News
-
-
What’s on the bun?
Perhaps no other food on the American summer holiday menu epitomizes patriotism more than a good old-fashioned hamburger.
-
Best gifts can be made from scratch
When hand-crafting gifts to honor loved ones or friends, a fellowship can be born.
-
Injury crash provokes felony charge
Prosecutors have charged a Tahlequah man for his alleged role in causing a crash that put another man on life support.
The charges stem from a May 18 crash at the intersection of the State Highway 51 West bypass and Vinita. -
Testimony in Butcher trial centers on evidence
Testimony given throughout the day Thursday in the first-degree murder case against Bronson William Butcher centered mostly on the state’s investigation of the case.
-
Oklahoma City man charged with larceny here
Prosecutors in Cherokee County have charged an Oklahoma City man with grand larceny, second-degree burglary, and larceny of an automobile.
-
Local men’s shelter at risk of closing
Tom Lewis walked through the semi-completed expansion at Project O Si Yo Thursday, pointing out what services could be provided to area homeless men, if only the funding were available.
-
TPS officials eye earlier start times
A handful of Tahlequah Public Schools parents voiced concern Wednesday evening about a potential change in school start-and-stop times for the upcoming year.
-
Food for thought
With representatives from the Oklahoma Farm & Food Alliance, Sustainable Green Country and Cherokee Nation Healthy Nation Division in attendance, the Tahlequah Food Policy Council on Tuesday shared their ideas on establishing sustainable local food sources for retail ventures.
-
Defense attorney: Witness changed his story
The defense counsel for Bronson Butcher on Wednesday targeted eyewitness accounts of a man who claims he saw the accused shoot an Oktaha man at a Tahlequah home in March 2011.
-
TMS Cancer Carnival raises funds
The Tahlequah Middle School Student Council held its 6th Annual Student Council Cancer Carnival Wednesday to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
- More Local News Headlines
-


