USAO - Alaska News Update

Offices of the United States Attorneys   You are subscribed to USAO - Alaska news updates. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Anchorage Woman Charged with Embezzling Funds from a Tribal Organization in Alaska 06/25/2020 12:00 AM EDT U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that an Anchorage woman has been federally charged with embezzling approximately $174,290 from the Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission (ANHSC), which was primarily funded from federal grants issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, with additional federal grant funds provided by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Joni Raelle Bryant, 43, of Anchorage, was named in the indictment charging her with one count of embezzlement from an Indian tribal organization, and two counts of embezzlement from an organization receiving federal funds. The indictment alleges that, from July 2014 to October 2016, Bryant embezzled approximately $174,290 from the ANHSC for her personal use.  During that time, Bryant was employed as the Executive Director at the ANHSC, and was responsible for managing federal grants, as well as the day-to-day financial management of the organization. Bryant allegedly embezzled the money by using the ANHSC credit card to make unauthorized personal purchases, and by using the ANHSC checking account to make unauthorized cash withdrawals, issue unauthorized checks, and make unauthorized debit card purchases with tribal funds.  The unauthorized expenditures included paying for personal travel for herself and family, personal purchases at various retail stores, gas and grocery purchases, wireless service charges, and insurance and utility bills.  If convicted, Bryant faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison and up to a $250,000 fine, for the most serious charges alleged.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant. The U.S. Department of Interior's Office of Inspector General (DOI-OIG) conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General and the Anchorage Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Charisse Arce. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Anchorage Motivational Speaker Indicted on Federal Child Pornography Charges 06/25/2020 12:00 AM EDT Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that Donteh Mone Devoe, 41, of Anchorage, has been federally charged with two counts of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of coercion and enticement of a minor.  Devoe was arrested in February 2020, and was ordered detained pending trial.  According to court documents, Devoe became the subject of an investigation on Jan. 29, 2020, when Anchorage Police Department (APD) received a tip concerning allegations that Devoe had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a minor.  The complaint alleges that, between Sept. 30, 2019, and Oct. 1, 2019, Devoe used text messages to request sexually explicit images of the minor.  It is further alleged that the minor would receive sexually explicit images of Devoe while she was in school, and that there were at least two incidents where Devoe and the minor had sexual contact.  A search of Devoe's cell phone and iCloud account revealed the graphic communications, as well as several sexually explicit images of the minor.  After serving his sentence for a federal drug conviction, Devoe traveled throughout Alaska giving motivational speeches about rehabilitation and reentry, oftentimes coming into contact with students from the Anchorage School District. If the public has any further information regarding Devoe's activities, please contact FBI's Anchorage Field Office at (907) 276-4441.   If convicted, Devoe faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to life in federal prison, for the most serious charges alleged.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history of the defendant. The Anchorage Police Department (APD), as well as FBI's Child Exploitation Task Force, conducted the investigation leading to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Ivers of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska. The investigation is also part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices, Project Safe Childhood combines federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 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