http://www.kansas.com/news/story/487466.html

Posted on Fri, Aug. 08, 2008

Witness says Kaweah made $30,000 daily

BY RON SYLVESTER
The Wichita Eagle

Eduviges del Carmen-Zamora testified in federal court Thursday that $30,000
a day flowed through the office of the so-called Kaweah Indian Nation from
illegal immigrants hoping to buy permanent residency in this country.

Zamora said she handed stacks of money orders to Malcolm Webber attached to
applications for membership in the unrecognized tribe.

Prosecutors contend the Kaweahs aren't a real American Indian tribe, as
Webber stands trial in Wichita on charges including harboring illegal
aliens and fraud.

The defense, meanwhile, indicated Webber may not have been the "grand
chief" the prosecution claims.

Zamora said she believed Webber's promise, as did thousands seeking a
permanent legal home in America. She remembered Webber saying that people
from Latin America were originally of American Indian descent and were
forced out by European settlers.

"They were American Indians, better than the white Americans," Zamora said
she heard Webber say.

For people who had problems with immigration, some of whom had risk their
lives to cross the border, Zamora said Webber's claims were like salvation.

Zamora, born in El Salvador, was living in Kansas legally. She had a green
card to work. She kept records of her wages and paid her taxes.

But when she first heard of the Kaweah Indians, her husband, Angel, had
been denied an extension of his work permit.

"We were waiting for the attorney to bring us some word, but we hadn't
heard anything for a year," she testified.

Then last year, through her church in Wichita, she met two people from
Jacksonville, Texas.

"They asked our pastor, 'have you not heard of the tribe helping
Hispanics?' " Zamora said, testifying through an interpreter. "The one who
gives out the papers."

A woman from church later visited Zamora's home and told her about the
Kaweahs and Webber, known as Grand Chief Thunderbird IV.

"This could be a solution for your husband," Zamora said she told her.

Few in the Kaweah office spoke Spanish, Zamora said. But she spoke the
language, as did most people who applied for Kaweah memberships.

Webber hired her to interpret and help around the office.

Zamora said she could understand English but wanted to testify in her
native language because of the legal complexities of court.

She earlier pleaded guilty to not reporting a felony in exchange for her
testimony and the promise she won't be deported.

Zamora said she interpreted for Webber when Spanish-speaking pastors
brought their parishioners to Wichita.

"He told them that this is a great opportunity God has given us, so no one
will suffer anymore," Zamora said of Webber. "They are going to have health
benefits, government loans, Social Security. They are going to have
everything, but they will have to be patient. And he told them to pray."

He also told them to pay $80 for a citizenship certificate in the Kaweah
tribe and an identification card. As the money poured in, the price went up
-- sometimes hundreds of dollars.

Zamora said she knew people in Dodge City who were able to get Kansas
drivers' licenses with Kaweah I.D., and she saw at least one Social
Security card someone claimed to have obtained via tribal membership.

But the defense was most interested when Zamora talked about Webber's boss.

She testified she met the man, who is not charged, one day at the office.

"He was the high chief," Zamora said.

The trial continues today.

Reach Ron Sylvester at 316-268-6514 or rsylvester@....