A Nigerian man, identified by United States authorities as Kenneth Godwin, has been indicted by a federal grand jury over an alleged scheme to siphon funds from a tribally owned casino in South Dakota.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Godwin is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud, Wire Fraud, and Unauthorised Access to a Protected Computer in Furtherance of Fraud. Prosecutors allege he worked with others to target Prairie Wind Casino and Hotel in Pine Ridge, a business owned and operated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

According to the indictment, Godwin, believed to be residing in Nigeria, participated in a sophisticated business email compromise operation. Investigators say the conspirators manipulated electronic communications and payment instructions to divert casino funds, inflicting significant financial losses on the tribal enterprise.

If convicted, Godwin faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, along with three years of supervised release. He would also be required to pay a mandatory $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund, and the court may order restitution to the victims.

Federal authorities stressed that the case underscores their determination to pursue cyber-enabled fraud schemes that cross international borders. Officials noted that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ben Patterson handling the prosecution.

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher Dotson described the alleged plot as an international business email compromise scheme that caused substantial financial damage to the Oglala Sioux Tribe’s casino operations. He said the case reflects the bureau’s broader effort to dismantle criminal networks that exploit digital systems to target businesses and communities across the United States, including in Indian Country.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that geographic distance offers no protection to suspects involved in U.S.-focused financial crimes, adding that investigators routinely work with domestic and international partners to identify, track, and apprehend alleged perpetrators.

The Department of Justice stressed that the charges against Godwin are allegations only. He remains presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the case against him beyond a reasonable doubt in a U.S. court of law.