Tacoma Man Sentenced to 46 Months in Federal Prison for Violating Domestic Violence No-Contact Order

PORTLAND, Ore.—Deshawn Everett Little Eagle, 31, of Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for repeatedly and deliberately violating a domestic violence no-contact order.

According to court documents, in 2018, Little Eagle strangled and beat adult victim one (AV1) and her 4-year-old child in Tacoma, Washington. AV1’s parents reported suspicious bruising to the child, resulting in the issuance of a no-contact order by the Superior Court of Pierce County, Washington on October 30, 2018. The order, signed by Little Eagle, prohibited him from contacting, communicating with, or coming into physical proximity with AV1.

Between December 4, 2018 and January 7, 2019, Little Eagle called AV1 more than 100 times and, on January 9, 2019, admitted, in a text message with a relative of AV1, that he knew about the protective order. Later, on January 9, Little Eagle travelled from Tacoma to Celilo Village, Oregon where AV1 was staying with her parents. Over the next three days, Little Eagle argued with AV1, broke her phone, and damaged property at AV1’s parent’s home.

On January 12, 2019, neighbors observed AV1 crying as she and Little Eagle left Celilo Village to travel to Washington State. AV1 later told officers that during this trip, Little Eagle threatened to kill her and himself. On January 14, 2019, when Little Eagle returned AV1 to Celilo Village, a Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission Officer arrested him for violating the protective order. After his arrest, Little Eagle called AV1 from custody at least 50 times, again violating the protective order.

On March 6, 2019, a federal grand jury in Portland returned two-count indictment charging Little Eagle with interstate violation of a protection order—travel or conduct of the offender and casuing travel of a victim. On March 20, 2020, Little Eagle pleaded guilty to one count of interstate violation of a protection order—travel or conduct of the offender.

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown ordered a restitution hearing to be set in July, 2020.

This case was investigated by the Columbia River Intertribal Fish Commission Enforcement department and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Jennifer Martin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Domestic violence is a serious violent crime that includes both physical and emotional abuse. It is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members and communities.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have developed support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery.

The StrongHearts Native Helpline offers culturally specific support and advocacy for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence. Please call 1-844-762-8483 or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org for more information.