Domestic Violence Assailant Handed 41-Month Sentence

YAKIMA, WA—Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Jordan Everett Stevens, age 20, from Wapato, Washington, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for assault. The sentence was imposed yesterday in the United States District Court in Yakima, Washington. Mr. Stevens is an enrolled member of the Yakama Indian Nation.

Tthe indictment alleged that on October 16, 2009, Mr. Stevens assaulted the victim, resulting in serious bodily injury. On October 29, 2010, Mr. Stevens entered a guilty plea to that indictment. In the plea agreement, Mr. Stevens admitted that on October 16, 2009, he was arguing with the victim. The argument escalated, and at one point, Mr. Stevens knocked the victim down from behind and kicked the victim while the victim was on the ground. The Yakama Tribal Police were called and the victim reported not being able to move and being in extreme physical pain. At the hospital, staff determined that the victim suffered from a closed head injury, a fracture of the eye socket and a spinal fracture. Mr. Stevens also acknowledged in the plea agreement that he attempted to obstruct justice by mailing a letter to the victim in late September 2010. In the letter, Mr. Stevens instructed the victim to tell the government investigator that the victim lied and for the victim to leave town until the charges were dismissed. This obstruction of justice had the effect of adding 17 months to the underlying sentence.

This domestic violence had its roots in the tragic childhood of Mr. Stevens. At sentencing, Mr. Stevens’ fraternal grandmother told the court how Mr. Stevens was only repeating the cycle of violence Mr. Stevens observed as a child. In the words of Mr. Stevens' grandmother, "This cycle of violence must be stopped."

Michael C. Ormsby, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, said, "Domestic violence cannot be tolerated and domestic violence assailants will face significant punishment."

This investigation was conducted by the Yakama Tribal Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Thomas J. Hanlon, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.