Yakima, Washington – On April 14, 2025, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Darius Morningstar Speedis to 72 months in federal prison for sexual abuse in Indian Country. Speedis, aged 20, is a member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. Alongside the prison term, Judge Dimke imposed 10 years of supervised release and mandated that Speedis register as a sex offender.
The case, according to court documents and statements at the sentencing hearing, involved the sexual assault of a 16-year-old Native American woman in November 2022. The victim was intoxicated and incapacitated when Speedis carried out the assault, after participating in a gathering where alcohol was consumed. Speedis provided some of this alcohol to the attendees, including the victim. The assault took place on the Yakama Nation.
Evidence revealed that Speedis recorded the assault and distributed the video to the victim, though the video was deleted and not recovered by law enforcement.
Judge Dimke considered the breach of trust, the recording of the assault, and Speedis' youth and reported remorse in her sentencing decision. She acknowledged the larger issue of sexual abuse on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation, describing it as an "epidemic."
“Sexual violence has no place in any community, and it is especially devastating when it targets vulnerable victims and occurs within communities already impacted by an epidemic of abuse,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. He emphasized the seriousness of Speedis' actions and the office's commitment to justice for sexual assault victims, while working with Tribal partners.
FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle field office, W. Mike Herrington, voiced hope that Speedis' admission of guilt might aid the victim’s recovery, highlighting the FBI's dedication to seeking justice for Native women.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yakama Nation Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Letitia A. Sikes prosecuted the case.
