Tribal treasurer accused of stealing $25,000

Published 4:45 pm Wednesday, March 4, 2026

The treasurer of the Four Winds Tribe Louisiana Cherokee Confederation has been arrested after allegedly stealing more than $25,000 from tribal funds.

Shelia Trahan, 67, of Lake Charles, was arrested Wednesday by the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office on charges of felony theft, unauthorized use of an access card, and bank fraud.

Trahan turned herself in after learning of an arrest warrant and was booked into the Allen Parish Jail with bond set at $60,000.

According to Sheriff Doug Hebert, the tribe contacted the sheriff’s office in February regarding potential theft from tribal accounts. Detectives found that bank statements revealed unauthorized ATM and cash withdrawals, which led to the investigation, interviews, and subsequent arrest warrant.

The Four Winds Tribe is a state-recognized Indigenous tribe based in Oakdale.