An Austin, Arkansas woman will spend the next 48 months in federal prison after stealing more than $1.7 million from a federally funded non-profit organization serving indigenous people and others in need across Arkansas.
According to Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, 50-year-old Star Rana Jackson was sentenced Wednesday, June 3, 2026, by United States District Judge D.P. Marshall Jr. after pleading guilty to wire fraud earlier this year.
Jackson worked for more than 10 years at the American Indian Center of Arkansas (AICA) and at one point served as Executive Director before being terminated in May 2025. Prosecutors said Jackson was the only person with access to the organization’s federal payment management system and used that access to illegally withdraw grant funds from federal agencies including the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
Investigators discovered Jackson transferred tens of thousands of dollars into accounts she controlled without the knowledge of AICA’s Board of Directors. Authorities say Jackson completed approximately 180 unauthorized deposits from AICA accounts for personal use and used organization funds for cashier’s checks, unauthorized purchases, and streaming subscription services.
Federal investigators determined Jackson embezzled more than $1,788,858.99 during a 3-month period while serving as Executive Director.
In addition to the 4-year federal prison sentence, Jackson was ordered to serve 3 years of supervised release and repay the full restitution amount. There is no parole in the federal system.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
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