Duane Big Eagle, the former chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, was sentenced to three years in prison on bribery charges.

Big Eagle, 62, asked for house arrest, community service and restitution. But the judge said he deserved to go to prison for his crimes.

"The court wants to appropriately punish Mr. Big Eagle for what has occurred and deter anyone from similar conduct," Judge Roberto A. Lange said in court, the Associated Press reported.

Big Eagle was ordered to pay $21,500 to the tribe.

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Former SD trial chairman sentenced to 3 years (AP 11/30)

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