Thread: Unrecognized tribe indicted immigration scam WICHITA

Unrecognized tribe indicted in immigration scam
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WICHITA, Kansas, Sept. 21, 2007 – There are more indictments in a fraud case involving a self-proclaimed Indian tribe. Prosecutors have charged more people, alleging they helped scam thousands of dollars by promising immigrants U.S. citizenship.

On September 6, investigators raided the Wichita offices of an unrecognized Indian tribe, the Kaweah Indian Nation.

On Friday, that investigation brought about an indictment with 17 criminal counts and added 8 new defendants to the case. It also includes more counts against 3 people already facing federal charges from earlier indictments, including Malcolm Webber, the self-proclaimed chief of the tribe.

"Specifically, the indictment alleges Mr. Webber and his associates took their sales pitches to pastors or churches with Hispanic congregations and Spanish-speaking immigrants who longed for the benefit citizenship would provide to them and who believed, because they were told, that purchasing membership in this Kaweah Indian National would help them achieve that," Eric Melgren, U.S. Attorney, said.

The government says Webber's group would sell certificates to illegal immigrants. Thousands of certificates or applications for membership have shown up in 6 different states and were sold for $50 to $500 each. In some cases, near the border, people would pay $1200 a piece.

The immigrants were allegedly told paying the money would make them members of the Indian tribe and therefore allow them to become U.S. citizens.

"Let me make one thing very clear: They have no impact with respect to U.S. citizenship," Melgren said.

He says that's because the Kaweah Indian Nation is not recognized by the federal government and is not a legitimate Indian tribe.

Also on Friday, Webber had a detention hearing. A judge ruled he can get out of jail on a $50,000 bond, but there are certain conditions including house arrest and no contact with other Kaweah associates.

Webber also has to stop doing any tribal activity and disband his police force.

His release won't happen until Monday though so both sides have until then to appeal.

It's that damn white man's "Fire Water" that caused them to go wild

Goosh... AirborneSapper7
Im shocked...
maybe we should give them a reservation down south some where.
MAybe just a little south of texas....

!!! They have truley tried it all !!!