Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Assault With a Dangerous Weapon and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Bruce Warren Sampson, Jr., age 38, of Toppenish, Washington, was sentenced today after having been found guilty on May 6, 2021, of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury following a four-day jury trial. United States District Judge Salvador Mendoza, Jr. sentenced Sampson to a 70-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision after he is released from federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, Sampson beat and kicked the male victim in the head and chest causing grievous injuries, including eight broken ribs, traumatic brain injury and a broken eye socket. The victim was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington for treatment. The assault occurred in Sampson’s hotel room in Toppenish, Washington, which is within the external boundaries of the Yakama Nation. Sampson initially denied any knowledge of the assault and at trial claimed to have acted in self-defense. Sampson’s claim of self-defense was rejected by the jury.

Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington commends the law enforcement officers with the Yakama Nation Police Department, Toppenish Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who investigated this case. Prosecuting violent crime occurring on Indian Reservations in the Eastern District of Washington is a major priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

This case was investigated by the Yakama Nation Police Department, Toppenish Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Richard Burson, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.