Feds file new charges on Huston

Shad James Huston, who previously pleaded guilty to charges of embezzlement from the Chippewa Cree Tribe, retracted his guilty plea on the basis that he and his lawyer did not know the true nature of the charges.

Now, three new charges in Huston’s case have been pinned against him: conspiracy to commit theft from an Indian tribal organization, scheme to defraud the Chippewa Cree Tribe/wire, and theft from an Indian tribal organization.

Huston was a businessman in Havre during the time of his alleged crimes working at a family-owned business. During his time working at the business, he did some work with the tribe.

Huston is now accused of working with others who have been indicted in the Guardians Project investigations to conspire to embezzle funds from the Chippewa Cree Construction Corporation.

In 2012, Huston and TMP Services LLC are said to have submitted a $27,200 to the construction corporation.

Bruce Sunchild and John Chance Houle wrote a check to be drawn from the construction company’s accounts and made payable to TMP Service LLC. October of that year, Huston is said to have issued a $15,000 check to Sunchild and that same month to have deposited a check of the same amount into his own personal bank account.

The Guardians Project is a Montana U.S Attorney’s Office initiative that is headed by the FBI and Offices of Inspectors General and Internal Revenue Service. Many people have been indicted in connection with Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation alone for various charges, including many counts of embezzlement of federal funds given to the tribe for the people.

Huston’s next hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3.