SAN FRANCISCO - Jessica Engle was sentenced today to two years in federal prison for embezzling more than $550,000 in funds of an Indian Tribal Organization. U.S. District Judge Maxine M. Chesney handed down the sentence.

Engle, 43, of Oregon, was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 25, 2024. Engle pleaded guilty on September 3, 2025, to Embezzlement from an Indian Tribal Organization in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1163. In her plea, Engle admitted to stealing nearly all of the funds held in the account of Yurok Telecommunications Company ("YTC"), a company created at the direction and largely funded by the Yurok Tribe, based in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Specifically, Engle admitted to stealing over $550,000 from the YTC bank account between September 2021 and May 2022.

"The tribes deliver critical services-like schools, healthcare, and the basic necessities of life-that their communities need and on which they have come to depend. This theft of tribal funds and the betrayal of trust it represents makes it far more difficult for tribal governments to serve those communities," said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. "The United States made a promise to the many sovereign tribal nations that call the Northern District of California home that we will do all we can to keep them safe and we are committed to working with the tribes to make good on that promise."

"Embezzling funds meant to support the Yurok Tribe and its essential services is a serious breach of trust," said FBI Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble. "The FBI remains committed to working closely with our tribal partners to protect their resources and ensure those who exploit their positions of authority are held accountable. Today's sentence reflects that commitment and reinforces our ongoing efforts to safeguard tribal communities."

In handing down the sentence, Judge Chesney stated that the embezzlement was a "calculated risk on [Engle's] part" and that "[t]his wasn't a one-time thing." In addition to the prison term, Judge Chesney also sentenced Engle to a 3-year period of supervised release and ordered restitution of over $590,000. Engle will begin serving the sentence on December 1, 2026.

United States Attorney Craig Missakian and Special Agent in Charge Scott Schelble made the announcement.

The prosecution was handled by the National Security, Cyber & Special Prosecutions and General Crimes Sections of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Sampson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Sophie Cooper prosecuted the case with the assistance of Laurie Worthen. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, with the assistance of the Yurok Tribal Police.