A jury has found Jose Antonio Saldana, a 43-year-old resident of Wapato, Washington, guilty of three counts of abusive sexual contact and aggravated sexual abuse. The verdict was announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard Barker.
According to court documents and trial evidence, Saldana's offenses took place between August 1999 and January 2014 in Wapato, Washington. The victims were children under the age of 13 at the time. During the trial, they testified about their experiences with Saldana, who was reported to have touched them inappropriately and attempted further abuse.
The trial was presided over by United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke and began on March 10, 2024. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2025, in Yakima, Washington.
Acting United States Attorney Barker commented on the case: “The victims who came forward in this case demonstrated tremendous courage and bravery.” He noted that childhood sexual abuse victims often delay disclosing such events but praised the victims for testifying years later and identifying Saldana as their abuser. Barker added that Saldana faces a sentence ranging from thirty years to life for his crimes.
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, remarked on the severity of the case: “In this devastating case, Mr. Saldana abused multiple children for more than a decade on the Yakama Nation Reservation." Herrington emphasized the FBI's commitment to protecting tribal communities and vulnerable members of society from abuse.
The investigation involved both the FBI and the Yakama Nation Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy is prosecuting the case.
