Lummi Tribal Member Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison for Rape

            An enrolled member of the Lummi Tribe was sentenced last week to ten years in prison for aggravated sexual abuse, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  ROBERT DEWEY JOHNSON, 48, of the Lummi Indian Reservation, sexually assaulted a woman who was a guest in his home while her young children were present.  The assault occurred on December 3, 2012.  At the sentencing hearing Chief U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechman imposed the ten year sentence saying she was concerned about the emotional harm to the victim and to her children who heard their mother’s screams.

            According to records filed in the case, the victim and her family were socializing in JOHNSON’s home.  When the victim’s significant other left to run an errand, JOHNSON sexually assaulted the victim in a bedroom of the home.  JOHNSON was indicted in May 2013 and pleaded guilty in July 2013.

            In addition to the prison term, JOHNSON will be on supervised release for five years and will be required to register as a sex offender.

            The case was investigated by the Lummi Police Department and the FBI.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London.