Skip to main content
Press Release

Tulalip Tribal Member Sentenced to 54 Months in Prison for Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Minor

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington
Defendant Had Sexual Contact With 14-Year-Old Girl

            A 28-year-old member of the Tulalip Tribes was sentenced today to four and a half years in prison for aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. 
RYAN DELBERT MOSES, was 27-years-old when he engaged in sexual conduct with a 14-year-old girl.  At sentencing U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones said to MOSES, “You were 27 and this is a young girl who is 14-years-old…. This is criminal.  It was illegal and you had no basis to be involved with a person of that age.”

            According to records in the case, between November 2012 and January 2013, MOSES engaged in sexual acts with the 14-year-old.  MOSES gave the child gifts and rides home from middle school to manipulate her into the sexual conduct.  Because MOSES is a tribal member and the conduct occurred on tribal land, the case is prosecuted in federal court.

            MOSES pleaded guilty January 6, 2014.

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

Updated March 20, 2015