Wellpinit Man Sentenced to Prison for Violent Assault

Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that James Ray Hill Jr., age 46, of Wellpinit, Washington, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury in Indian Country. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice imposed a sentence of 48 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on December 3, 2023, Hill punched his girlfriend in the face while they were sitting in her car on the Spokane Indian Reservation. The assault caused the victim’s face to swell up and her injuries were painful. The victim went to hospital for treatment. Doctors found multiple broken bones, including around her eye and nose. The injuries were so severe, the victim underwent surgery to repair the damage to her face.

“My office’s partnership with Tribal nations and communities is integral to the work we do within the U.S. Attorney’s Office. While the federal government has not always lived up to its treaty and trust obligations, we can and must do better moving forward.  Ensuring public safety is a top priority for my office, and I am so grateful for the work we have been able to do over the past several years to rebuild trust with the Tribal nations within the Eastern District of Washington.”

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Spokane Tribal Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Ellis.

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