Swinomish Tribal Member Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse of a Minor
| U.S. Attorney’s Office February 18, 2011 |
ROGER WALTER DAMIEN, 26, an enrolled member of the Swinomish Tribe, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor. When sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones on May 6, 2011, DAMIEN faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.
According to records in the case, between June 2009, and July 2010, DAMIEN was involved in sexual relationships with two young Native American females under the age of 16. DAMIEN, who is more than 10 years older than each of the young victims, had sex with them at his home on the Swinomish Indian Reservation. The parents of both teenage victims reported their concerns to Swinomish Tribal Police when one discovered text messages from DAMIEN, and when the other discovered her daughter was absent from home in the overnight hours.
In his plea agreement, DAMIEN agrees to pay restitution to the two victims. The amount will be determined by the judge at sentencing.
The case was investigated by the Swinomish Tribal Police and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London. Mr. London serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney's Office, at (206) 553-4110 or Emily.Langlie@USDOJ.Gov.