Lummi Tribal Member Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

20-Year-Old Had Previous Conviction for Sex Acts with Minor Victim

          A 20-year-old member of the Lummi Tribe was sentenced Monday June 4, 2018 to six years in prison and 20 years of supervised release for sexual abuse of a minor, announced U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes. JASON LITTLE SKY JAMES JR, of Bellingham, Washington, was indicted in November 2017, and pleaded guilty in March 2018.  U.S. District Judge James L. Robart noted the need to protect the public from JAMES JR., who will be required to register as a sex offender following his release from prison.

            According to records filed in the case, between December 2016 and September 2017, JAMES, JR engaged in sexual acts with a minor female who was 13 or 14 years old.  At the time of the sex acts,  JAMES JR  was a registered sex offender, having been convicted in Whatcom County Superior Court of indecent liberties in 2015.  In the 2015 case, JAMES JR was convicted of engaging in sexual acts with a minor female who was then 13-years-old.

            The cases came to light when the minor female reported the sex acts to a trusted adult, and the investigation revealed that JAMES JR. was aware of the victims’ young age at the time he engaged in sexual acts.

            The case was investigated by the Lummi Police Department and the FBI.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Tate London and Chantelle D. Dial.  Mr. London is a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ms. Dial is an Indian Country Fellow, part of the Attorney General’s Honors Program.