Chehalis Tribe member sentenced for sexual contact

A 31-year-old member of the Chehalis Tribe was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 21 months in prison and five years of supervised release for abusive sexual content, according to U.S. attorney Brian T. Moran.

Anthony Todd Youckton Jr. pleaded guilty Oct. 4 2018, admitting he sexually molested a woman who was incapacitated by alcohol in July 2016. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton said the assault was a tragic event in the victim’s life.

The case was prosecuted in federal court because the crime occurred on tribal land involving a tribal defendant. The case was investigated by the Chehalis Tribal Police and the FBI.

According to a Department of Justice news release, Youckton and a female friend gave the intoxicated woman a ride home after a night of drinking. Because the woman was drunk, the two placed her in her bed and left the home. Youckton returned to the woman’s home later that night, got into her bed and molested her, according to the release.

When she awoke the next morning and found Youckton in her bed, and called the tribal police. Youckton was charged federally and arrested Feb. 13. 2018.