Reno, Nev. - Daniel G. Bogden, United States Attorney for the District of Nevada, and Ellen B. Knowlton, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for Nevada, announced that MICHAEL KRANOVICH, Sheriff of Lander County, Nevada, was convicted by a jury in federal court in Reno today of theft from programs receiving federal funds and theft of government property. The trial began Tuesday, October 22, 2002.

KRANOVICH was indicted by a federal grand jury in Reno on July 24, 2002, and charged with taking approximately $12,000 from an asset forfeiture sharing fund which was in the custody and control of the Lander County Sheriff's Department. The fund consists of monies from assets that have been seized and forfeited in federal criminal cases, and shared with local law enforcement agencies which have assisted in the investigation or prosecution of the cases. The monies are to be used by the law enforcement agencies for future investigations, training, and equipment, etc. KRANOVICH was also charged with stealing $12,000 in U.S. currency belonging to the United States.

The Court set a February 10, 2003 sentencing date for KRANOVICH. He is facing ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count, plus restitution. KRANOVICH is released on a personal recognizance bond pending sentencing.

The case was investigated by Special Agents of the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ron Rachow and Sue Fahami.

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