Tulalip Tribal Member Convicted of Assault, Witness Tampering and Illegal Firearm Possession

          An enrolled member of the Tulalip Tribes was convicted today in U.S. District Court in Seattle of seven charges involving his repeated assault of an intimate partner, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes.  Following a six day jury trial, BRIAN H. JONES, SR., 46, of Tulalip and Marysville, Washington, was convicted of assault by strangulation, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, witness tampering, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.  The jury deliberated six hours before returning its verdicts.  U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones scheduled sentencing for May 6, 2015.

            According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, JONES assaulted both his ex-wife and her then-current husband in December 2014, holding them at gun point.  In April 2015, JONES assaulted his ex-wife a second time, strangling her and beating her.  Medical records indicate JONES’ ex-wife suffered injuries to her head, arms, and legs, and throat trauma.  Following his arrest in both assaults, records reveal JONES repeatedly contacted his ex-wife and convinced her to refuse to testify in a tribal court trial, as well as to seek a dismissal of the federal charges or recant in federal court.  Prosecutors used evidence including the ex-wife’s prior sworn statements, medical records, and other witness statements to prove JONES’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. 

            JONES is also a felon having been previously convicted of a state felony crime, and is thus prohibited from possessing firearms. 

            JONES has been in federal custody since his arrest on June 3, 2015. 

            JONES faces up to twenty years in prison for each of the crimes of assault by strangulation, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, and witness tampering.  He faces a mandatory minimum term of seven years in prison consecutive to the other sentences for assault with a deadly weapon.  JONES also faces up to ten years in prison for the crime of felon in possession.

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