Crimes on Indian Lands Press Releases

August 29, 2014

WARD: Makah Tribal Member Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Knife Attack

August 4, 2014

CARLSON: Tulalip Tribal Member Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Second Degree Murder in Death of Toddler

August 1, 2014

JEFFERSON: Two Lummi Tribal Members Charged with Distributing Heroin and Methamphetamine

July 8, 2014

GIBBS: Lummi Tribal Member Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Use of a Firearm During a Crime of Violence

October 11, 2013

CHARLES: Nooksack Tribal Member Sentenced to 23+ Years in Prison for Ax Murder

September 13, 2013

TRIBAL ISSUES: U.S. Attorney Durkan Joins Tribal and DOJ Leaders to Discuss Indian Country Issues

June 6, 2013

CHARLES: Nooksack Tribal Member Pleads Guilty to Ax Murder on Lummi Tribal Land

June 3, 2013

SANCHEZ: SW Washington Man who Operated Shingle Mill as Cover for Meth Distribution Sentenced to Ten Year Prison Term

May 14, 2013

CARLSON: Tulalip Tribal Member Indicted for Second Degree Murder in Death of Toddler

RODE: Sekiu Resident Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Drug and Gun Crimes

May 3, 2013

O'LEARY: Swinomish Tribal Member Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Second Degree Murder

March 27, 2013

TOM: Lummi Tribal Member Sentenced to 97 Months in Prison for Voluntary Manslaughter

January 11, 2013

CARLSON: Tulalip Tribal Member Charged with Death of Toddler

PHAIR and LOUIE: Two Lummi Tribal Members Sentenced to Prison for Stabbing Death of Another Tribal Member

November 27, 2012

O'LEARY: Swinomish Tribal Member Pleads Guilty to Murder of Common-Law Wife

September 24, 2012

LOUIE and PHAIR: Two Tribal Members Plead Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter for Stabbing Death in Fight

August 31, 2012

DOJ GRANTS: Justice Department Awards more than $1 Million for Sex Offender Monitoring on Tribal Lands in Western Washington

May 21, 2012

LUDWIG: Former Grays Harbor County Woman Convicted of Embezzling from Quinault Indian Tribe

December 21, 2011

PHAIR: Two Lummi Tribal Members Charged with Murder of Third Tribal Member

November 18, 2011

DIGGS: Blackfeet Tribal Member Sentenced to 80 Months in Prison for Sex Abuse of a Minor

JACK: Swinomish Tribal member Pleads Guilty to Domestic Violence Assault

VERHOEVEN: Tulalip Tribal Member Sentenced to Prison for Embezzling Nearly $400,000 from Tribal Smoke Shop

August 11, 2011

DIGGS: Blackfeet Tribal Member Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor

July 22, 2011

DAMIEN: Swinomish Tribal member Sentenced to Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

June 17, 2011

BENNETT: Lower Elwha Tribal Member Sentenced to 7+ Years in Prison for Sex Abuse of a Minor

May 18, 2011

JACK: Swinomish Tribal Member Charged with Domestic Violence Assault

April 4, 2011

VER HOEVEN: Tulalip Tribal Member Charged with Embezzling Nearly $400,000 from Tribal Smoke Shop

March 25, 2011

ROBINSON: Tulalip Tribal Member Sentenced to Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Robbery

March 4, 2011

BENNET: Lower Elwha Tribal Member Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor

February 25, 2011

FLORES: Two Convicted of Dealing Drugs From Tribal Smokeshops

February 18, 2011

DAMIEN: Swinomish Tribal Member Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of Minors

January 21, 2011

PABLO: Tulalip Tribal Member Sentenced for Illegal Fireworks Dealing

February 4, 2011

DAMIEN: Swinomish Tribal Member Indicted for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

January 21, 2011

WILLIAMS: Swinomish Tribal Member Sentenced for Assault

11/1/10 CUMMINS
MAKAH TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR BRUTAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTACK
Couple’s 14-year-old Son Intervenes to Stop Knife Attack

6/16/10 WILBUR
SWINOMISH TRIBAL MEMBERS SENTENCED FOR CONTRABAND CIGARETTE SCHEME
Failed to Pay more than $10 Million in State or Tribal Tax on Cigarettes

3/3/10 PACHECO
TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO 9+ YEARS IN PRISON FOR ASSAULT OF CANADIAN TRIBAL MEMBER
Defendant Assaulted Two People on Tribal Land in Less Than a Month

2/12/10 WILBUR
SWINOMISH TRIBAL MEMBERS PLEAD GUILTY TO CONTRABAND CIGARETTE SCHEME
Failed to Pay more than $10 Million in State or Tribal Tax on Cigarettes

1/15/10 CONN
CIGARETTE BROKER PLEADS GUILTY FOR TRAFFICKING IN UNTAXED CIGARETTES
California Tobacco Broker is the Latest to Plead Guilty in Contraband Cigarette Conspiracy

1/8/10 BRYAN
QUINALT TRIBAL MEMBER AND EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO THEFT FROM THE TRIBE
Defendant Stole Gift Cards Intended for Tribal Members and Used for Own Benefit

1/8/10 MOSES
TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED FOR THEFT FOR RAIDING CUSTOMER’S ‘POINTS’ ACCOUNTS
Former Casino Employee Used his Position to Steal Nearly $20,000

1/8/10 BEARD
FORMER CFO OF ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATION SENTENCED FOR MAIL FRAUD AS PART OF EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME
Used Corporation Funds to Pay for Personal Luxuries

1/5/10 CUNNINGHAM
SECOND CIGARETTE WHOLESALER PLEADS GUILTY FOR TRAFFICKING IN UNTAXED CIGARETTES
New Mexico Tobacco Distributor is the Latest to Plead Guilty in Contraband Cigarette Conspiracy

12/14/09 STUBER
FORMER COWLITZ COUNTY CIGARETTE DISTRIBUTOR SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN CONTRABAND CIGARETTES
Conspired with Smoke Shop Owner and Others to Avoid $20 Million in State Taxes

12/4/09 PETERS
TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD
Man Engaged in Pattern of Sex Abuse of Young Relative

11/30/09 TORRES
LUMMI TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR BURGLARY
Defendant with Lengthy Criminal History Used Gun to Threaten Neighbors

10/28/09 WAMBOLT
ABERDEEN MAN SENTENCED FOR MARIJUANA GROW ON TRIBAL LAND
Defendant Prosecuted a Third Time for Illegal Grows; Captured on Surveillance Video

10/20/09 FLORES
FIVE ARRESTED FOLLOWING LENGTHY INVESTIGATION OF DRUG DEALING FROM INDIAN SMOKE SHOPS
Hundreds of Prescription Pain Pills Sold to Undercover Officers on Multiple Occasions

9/29/09 BEARD
FORMER CFO OF ALASKA NATIVE CORPORATION PLEADS GUILTY TO MAIL FRAUD AS PART OF EMBEZZLEMENT SCHEME
Used Corporation Funds to Pay for Personal Luxuries

9/9/09 SILVERMAN
CIGARETTE WHOLESALERS FACE CHARGES FOR TRAFFICKING IN UNTAXED CIGARETTES
Indictments Allege Various Suppliers Conspired to Traffic in Contraband Cigarettes

7/6/09 WILBUR
SWINOMISH TRIBAL MEMBERS INDICTED FOR CONTRABAND CIGARETTE SCHEME
Failed to Pay more than $10 Million in State or Tribal Tax on Cigarettes

7/1/09 MONTOUR
TRIBAL CIGARETTE WHOLESALER INDICTED FOR LYING TO COURT
Owner of New York Company Allegedly Submitted Multiple False Declarations in Smoke Shop Forfeiture Case

6/19/09 JIMICUM
TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEX CRIMES
Defendant Pleaded Guilty in Midst of Trial to Molesting Young Relatives

5/22/09 EDWARDS
TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN PRISON FOR AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE
Man Raped Girl Under the Age of Twelve

5/1/09 MOSES
TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBER CHARGED WITH THEFT FOR RAIDING CUSTOMER’S “POINTS” ACCOUNTS
Former Casino Employee Used his Position to Steal Nearly $20,000

3/23/09 REDLIGHTNING
BELLINGHAM MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR 1987 MURDER ON LUMMI INDIAN RESERVATION

3/16/09 GOODRIDGE
OPERATORS OF “BLUE STILLY” SMOKE SHOP SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR TRAFFICKING IN MILLIONS OF CONTRABAND CIGARETTES
Defendants Knowingly Failed to Pay More than $25 Million in State Taxes

3/9/09 PACHECO
TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBERS CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY AND
ASSAULT OF CANADIAN TRIBAL MEMBER
Three Defendants Beat Woman, Held Her in Car Trunk for Hours

3/3/09 GOTTFRIEDSON
FORMER PUYALLUP TRIBAL COUNCIL MEMBER AND SMOKE SHOP OWNER SENTENCED FOR CONTRABAND CIGARETTE SCHEME
Couple Cheating State out of Millions of Dollars in Cigarette Taxes

2/18/09 STUBER
ARIZONA MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN CONTRABAND CIGARETTES
Cowlitz County Distributor Conspired with Smoke Shop Owner to Avoid $20 Million in State Taxes

2/13/09 EDWARDS
TRIBAL MEMBER FOUND GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE
Jury Finds Man Guilty of Molesting Girl Under the Age of Twelve

2/3/09 PEYNADO
MEMBERS OF ROULETTE CHEATING TEAM CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT FOR THEFT FROM TRIBAL CASINOS
New York Based Group Targeted Emerald Queen, Clearwater and Snoqualmie Casinos

11/21/08 MERCULIEF
TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN PRISON AND LIFETIME SUPERVISED RELEASE FOR SEX ASSAULT ON TODDLER
Defendant Must Undergo Treatment and Register as a Sex Offender

11/20/08 GOODRIDGE
OWNERS OF “BLUE STILLY” SMOKE SHOP PLEAD GUILTY TO TRAFFICKING IN MILLIONS OF CONTRABAND CIGARETTES
Defendants Knowingly Failed to Pay More than $25 Million in State Taxes

9/29/08 REDLIGHTNING
BELLINGHAM MAN CONVICTED OF 1987 MURDER ON LUMMI INDIAN RESERVATION - Jury Deliberates Five Hours Before Returning Guilty Verdict

8/13/08 GOTTFRIEDSON
SMOKE SHOP OWNERS PLEAD GUILTY TO CONSPIRING TO TRAFFIC IN CONTRABAND CIGARETTES AND STRUCTURING $2.1 MILLION OF CASH TRANSACTIONS

7/1/08 WHALE SENTENCING
MAKAH TRIBAL MEMBERS SENTENCED FOR VIOLATING MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT - Two Who Took Most Active Role, Leading Hunt, Sentenced to Jail Time

6/19/08 CHRISTENSEN
QUINAULT TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR RAPE - Man with Long History of Sexual Assault Raped Ex-Girlfriend in Front of 2-year-old

5/1/08 COOLEY
TRIBAL MEMBER WITH LENGTHY CRIMINAL HISTORY SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR ASSAULT ON RESERVATION - One of Four Men who Attacked Couple with Baseball Bat and Club after Failed Drug Deal

4/25/08 NELSON
TOKELAND MAN SENTENCED FOR MAKING EXPLOSIVE DEVICES - Defendant Sold Dangerously Illegal Explosives to Indian Reservation Fireworks Stands

4/8/08 MAKAH
TWO MAKAH TRIBAL MEMBERS FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLATING MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT BY KILLING GRAY WHALE - Men Agree to Bench Trial - Judge Finds Them Guilty Based on Written Statement of Facts

3/28/08 MAKAH TRIBE
THREE MAKAH TRIBAL MEMBERS PLEAD GUILTY TO KILLING GRAY WHALE - Two Defendants, Who Played Largest Role in Hunt, Will Face Trial

3/25/08 SOVAN
FORMER CARD DEALER PLEADS GUILTY IN CASINO CHEAT CASE - Woman Conspired to use "False Shuffle" to Steal Money From Emerald Queen Casino

3/7/08 KALAMA
QUINAULT TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO 26 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR CRASH THAT CLAIMED TWO LIVES - Defendant Admitted to Driving Drunk when Car Carrying Seven Young People Crashed into River

1/28/08 HATCH
TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED FOR STEALING FROM TRIBAL CASINO - Defendant Worked as Pit boss, Stole $5,400 in Chips

1/11/08 MAYFIELD
THIRD DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR CONSPIRING TO CHEAT CASINO - Dealer Conspired and Used "False Shuffle" to Cheat Tribal Casino

12/14/07 JEFFERSON
TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF INFANT SON - Admits He Threw Child, Causing Fatal Head Injury

12/14/07 MCKILLIP
SECOND DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR CONSPIRING TO CHEAT CASINO - Dealer Conspired and Used "False Shuffle" to Cheat Tribal Casino

12/14/07 NICKELS
SEATTLE MAN SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS IN PRISON FOR CONSPIRING TO CHEAT CASINO - Former Pit Boss Introduced Casino Cheats to Dealers at Nooksack Tribal Casino

12/12/07 KALAMA
QUINAULT TRIBAL MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH CRASH THAT CLAIMED TWO LIVES - Defendant Admits to Driving Drunk when Car Carrying Seven Young People Crashed into River

10/4/07 GRAY WHALE
GRAND JURY INDICTS FIVE MAKLAH TRIBAL MEMBERS FOR KILLING GRAY WHALE - Defendants Face Misdemeanor Charges Punishable by up to One Year in Jail

10/3/07 HATCH
TULALIP TRIBAL MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING FROM TRIBAL CASINO - Defendant Worked as Pit Boss, Stole $5,400 in Chips

9/28/07 BRYAN
QUINAULT TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO 7 YEARS IN PRISON IN CONNECTION WITH KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULT - Federal Sentence on top Of One Year Already Served in Quinault Jail

9/6/07 MCKILLIP
THIRD DEFENDANT PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRING TO CHEAT CASINO - Dealer Admits He Conspired and Used "False Shuffle" to Cheat Tribal Casino

8/30/07 NICKELS
SEATTLE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRING TO CHEAT CASINO - Former Pit Boss Introduced Casino Cheats to Dealers at Nooksack Tribal Casino

7/23/07 JEFFERSON
TRIBAL MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY TO VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF INFANT SON - Admits He Threw Child Causing Fatal Head Injury

6/22/07 MCNEW
ELMA MAN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR MANUFACTURING EXPLOSIVE DEVICES - Planned to Distribute the M-250s at Indian Fireworks Stands

5/24/07 CASINOS
DOZENS INDICTED IN CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT RACKETEERING, ILLEGAL GAMBLING, MONEY LAUNDERING, AND RELATED OFFENSES - Nationwide Conspiracy to Cheat Casinos by Bribing Employees

5/22/07 BRYAN
QUINAULT TRIBAL MEMBER PLEADS GUILTY IN CONNECTION WITH KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULT - Plea Agreement Calls for Five to Seven Year Prison Sentence

6/23/06 JEFFERSON
LUMMI TRIBAL MEMBER SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON FOR VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER - Man Attempted to Make His Girlfriend's Death Look like Suicide

6/16/06 FIRST NATION
FIVE CANADIAN FIRST NATION MEMBERS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR DRUG SMUGGLING - Federal Judge Tells Tribal Members to Take Message Back to Canada about Harsh Penalties

8/12/05 KOCH
Olympic Peninsula Man Sentenced to Twenty Years in Prison For Murder

6/3/05 JONES
Former Tulalip Tribal Housing Chairman Sentenced for Embezzling Tribal Funds

4/11/05 PAUL
Eight Indicted for Smuggling and Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes and Money Laundering

3/9/05 JABLONSKI
Tulalip Tribal Member Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor