Clifford Jost pleaded guilty on July 21 in United States District Court in Omaha, Nebraska, to committing burglary in Indian Country. United States Attorney Lesley A. Woods announced the plea and said Jost faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for October 14.
According to court records, Jost participated in a series of burglaries during December 2025 across Knox and Cedar counties, including within the Santee Sioux Reservation. On or about December 22, 2025, he unlawfully entered a garage in Bloomfield, Nebraska—within the reservation—and stole several items such as a game camera, deer mounts, and two utility terrain vehicles.
Law enforcement agencies investigating the case obtained surveillance footage from both a gas station in Santee and from the residence involved. They also analyzed Snapchat messages that showed Jost discussing stolen utility terrain vehicles. Investigators used additional data from Facebook and Verizon as part of their efforts.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with assistance from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Cedar County Sheriff’s Office, and Santee Sioux Nation Police Department. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska prosecutes federal crimes and handles civil cases for the U.S. government while collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to enhance public safety across Nebraska, according to the official website.
Jost remains scheduled for sentencing later this year.