Men plead guilty to selling memberships

Wednesday, April 23, 2008  

Two California men have pleaded guilty to selling memberships in a non-recognized tribe that has been linked to a number of scams.

Victor Granados and Kim Thomas Johnson sold membership in the Pembina Nation Little Shell Band of North America for $1,500. They told immigrants that their "tribal" cards would help them enter the United States legally.

Granados and Johnson each pleaded guilty to grand theft. They will not be sent to jail if they pay $9,000 in restitution.

The Pembina group, which is not affiliated with the Little Shell Chippewa, a legitimate tribe from Montana, has been linked to legal scams across the country and has even been called a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League.

Get the Story:
Conmen Guilty of Selling Indian Tribe Memberships to Illegals (Fox 6 News 4/22)

Mexican national used 'tribal' card to enter U.S. (12/1)
Woman in custody fight claims Chippewa heritage (03/21)
Man in dispute with county linked to Pembina tribe (11/08)
Man claims Indian heritage blocks county action (11/3)
Judge threatens Chippewa group with contempt (05/20)