A member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, George Mitchell Littlejohn, aged 61, and serving as a Cherokee tribal alcohol beverage control commissioner, has been apprehended on six felony charges and five misdemeanor charges related to the alleged misuse of tribal funds, as reported by the Cherokee Indian Police Department on their Facebook page. The specific details of the charges were not extensively disclosed, but authorities emphasized the swift response to uncover and address the criminal activities, ensuring the preservation of evidence to build a robust case.
Chief of Police Carla Neadeau emphasized the gravity of exploiting appointed positions, stating in a written release, “Arrests such as these show the seriousness of taking advantage of appointed positions. When someone takes advantage of a Tribal entity, it is the same as taking advantage of the entire tribal community.” Neadeau expressed gratitude towards the Tribal Alcohol Beverage Control Commission, the Tribal Alcohol Law Enforcement Agency, and the Cherokee Indian Police Department for their collaborative efforts in addressing the situation.
