Suquamish Tribal Member Sentenced to Prison for Domestic Violence Attack on Intimate Partner

          An enrolled member of the Suquamish Indian Tribe was sentenced this week to five months in prison and three years of supervised release, including three months of home detention and 100 hours of community service for assault, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. HA-KWA CHIQUITI, 38, assaulted his girlfriend on December 22 and 23, 2015. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle noted CHIQUITI’s conduct constituted a serious, violent crime causing substantial injury and suffering.

          According to records filed in the case, Suquamish Police were called to a home on tribal land where they found the victim covered in blood and seriously injured. She was transported to Harrison Hospital in Bremerton. She reported that CHIQUITI had hit her, forcibly restrained her, slammed her face into the edge of the bath tub and stepped on her back while she was lying on the floor. She had multiple cuts and bruises, a damaged eye socket and vision problems because of the assault.

          As part of his sentence, CHIQUITI is required to participate in a domestic violence/anger management program. CHIQUITI is also prohibited from having any contact with the victim.

          The case was investigated by the Suquamish Police Department and the FBI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Tate London and Ye-Ting Woo.