U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref | U.S. Department of Justice
Timothy J. Ohms, a long-serving federal prosecutor in Eastern Washington, retired from the Department of Justice after 33 years of service. His career has been marked by involvement in complex cases involving mental illness, international affairs, natural and cultural resource crimes, and violent crime. Notably, he was among the first to file cyberstalking charges in Eastern Washington.
Ohms handled significant drug trafficking and violent crime cases throughout his tenure. He was also instrumental in prosecuting wildlife and Native American artifact-related offenses. Over his career, he tried over 40 cases to verdict and argued 86 cases in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
One notable case occurred in 1992 when Ohms prosecuted Barbara Fraley and Phil W. Champagne for counterfeiting charges. The investigation revealed that Champagne had faked his death to collect a $1.5 million insurance policy.
In 1995, Ohms was part of the team prosecuting Antero Carreno as part of an organized drug trafficking investigation in Northcentral Washington.
Another high-profile case involved John Calvert in 2001, who was convicted for retaliating against a Spokane resident who had testified in another federal case.
In 2002, Ohms led an investigation into crack cocaine distribution by the Rolling 20s Crips street gang in Spokane's Browne’s Addition neighborhood.
The prosecution of Clarence Stensgar in 2010 resulted in a conviction for raping two women on the Colville Indian Reservation.
Ohms secured convictions against Ricky S. Wahchumwah and Victoria Jim in 2011 for illegally selling bald and golden eagle parts under the Lacey Act.
In 2012, he prosecuted the "Twisp Trio" for violating the Endangered Species Act related to killing endangered gray wolves near Twisp, Washington.
He prevailed before retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in United States v. Gillenwater in April 2014.
In recent years, Ohms participated as trial attorney or team member on several major cases including United States v. Cardenas (2015), United States v. Youker (2015), United States v. Kinard (2018), Rio A. Mirabal’s arson case (2021), and United States vs Tainewasher (2023).
Apart from courtroom achievements, Ohms served as a mentor to many young prosecutors within his office and nationwide through law student intern programs. U.S Attorney Waldref commended him stating: “Tim’s advocacy on behalf of the people of Eastern Washington is second-to-none... While we will miss Tim; his legacy will live on through lives touched over his storied career.”
First Assistant U.S Attorney Richard R Barker praised him saying: “The U.S Attorney’s Office...is better because of Tim Ohm’s Service.”
AUSA Earl A Hicks described him as an exceptional lawyer adding: “Whenever he was on trial I would become entranced by Tim's incredible opening statements.”
Ohms holds degrees from Western Washington University Seattle University School Of Law Eastern Washington University He began private practice before becoming Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Asotin County later appointed Asotin County Prosecutor joined US Attorneys Office October
