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Press Release

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

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington
Defendant Threatened Another Tribal Member With Assault Rifle During An Argument

A member of the Lummi Tribe was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to five years in prison and three years of supervised release for use of a firearm during a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.  WESLEY JOHN GIBBS, 53, of Bellingham, Washington was arrested in September 2013, following a fight with another tribal member.  At sentencing Chief U.S. District Judge Marsha J. Pechman said that GIBBS’ use of guns and his threatening others within the community has got to stop.

According to records filed in the case, on September 3, 2013, GIBBS and the victim were socializing at a home on the Lummi Reservation.  The men got into an argument.  GIBBS went into a bedroom of the home, grabbed an assault rifle and returned, pointing the loaded, but inoperable rifle at the victim and threatening to shoot him.  GIBBS cocked the weapon so that it appeared he was ready to fire.  The victim was able to flee the house without injury.

The case was investigated by the Lummi Tribal Police and the FBI.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney J. Tate London.

Updated March 20, 2015