Man accused of theft from Paiute Tribe also charged in state court

Thursday, January 27, 2011  

A Utah man who has been charged in federal court for stealing from the Paiute Tribe also faces charges in state court.

Jeffrey Charles Zander, 55, has been charged with third-degree felony burglary charges in one case and nine felony counts of theft and forgery in another case. He tried to have both cases dismissed, arguing that the alleged crimes occurred in Indian Country, but a judge denied his motions.

"We have concurrent jurisdiction with the Feds to prosecute crimes involving the tribe," Iron County Attorney Scott Garrett told The St. George Spectrum. "That's the arrangement. We're local and handle them often."

Zander, who has a checkered past that includes a stint in military prison, has yet to appear in federal court on charges that he stole more than $176,000 from the Paiute Tribe.

Get the Story:
Embezzling suspect appears in court (The St. George Spectrum 1/27)

Utah man accused of stealing more than $176K from Paiute Tribe (1/13)