United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana
09/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2025 15:48
Browning woman sentenced to over 2 years in prison for embezzling from Heart Butte School District
Press Release
Browning woman sentenced to over 2 years in prison for embezzling from Heart Butte School District
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
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For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana
GREAT FALLS - A Browning woman who took over $30,000 from Heart Butte School District was sentenced today to 25 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Jonnie Jo Fransis Spotted Eagle, 37, pleaded guilty in April 2025 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian M. Morris presided.
The government alleged in court documents that while working for the Heart Butte School District, Spotted Eagle embezzled funds by using school credit cards and purchase orders, presenting such orders to local grocery stores, and obtaining and using gift cards for her own personal benefit, none of which was authorized. While doing so, Spotted Eagle forged the name of school employees to cover up the fraudulent transactions.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Weldon and Kalah Paisley prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by the FBI.
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Updated September 16, 2025
Topics
Financial Fraud
Indian Country Law and Justice
Components
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
USAO - Montana
United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana published this content on September 16, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 16, 2025 at 21:48 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]