S. Lane Tucker, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office District of Alaska
A St. Michael man, Ryan Washington, has been sentenced to more than three years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm during a domestic violence incident. Washington, 40, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm after previously having three state felony convictions, including assault and sexual abuse of a minor.
On October 21, 2023, Washington verbally assaulted individuals in a residence in St. Michael and left with a shotgun, claiming he was going "duck hunting," according to court records. He returned shortly after, pointing the shotgun at one of the witnesses who then reported the assault to the Village Police Officer. The incident was further reported to the Alaska State Troopers.
Two troopers arrived the next morning to investigate, interviewed witnesses, arrested Washington, and confiscated the shotgun. On November 7, 2024, Washington pleaded guilty to the firearms charge.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman stated, "Mr. Washington is a repeat criminal offender who has consistently caused problems in the St. Michael community." Emphasizing the impact one criminal can have, Heyman encouraged the community to report crimes to aid federal prosecution efforts. He added, "We encourage our rural Alaskan neighbors to continue reporting these crimes to law enforcement so we can continue working with partners to hold dangerous offenders accountable when federal jurisdiction is warranted.”
Alaska State Trooper Colonel Maurice Hughes commented on the case, saying, "This sentence sends a clear message: violent offenders who use firearms to harm others will face significant jail time for their actions."
Jonathan Blais, Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Seattle, remarked, "Domestic violence has no place in our communities. Furthering this with a firearm makes this even more heinous, particularly when, as a felon, Mr. Washington knew he was not supposed to possess them. This is a well-deserved sentence."
The case was investigated by the Alaska State Troopers and the ATF Anchorage Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody Tirpak prosecuted the case, which was referred by the Alaska Department of Law and Nome District Attorney’s Office.
