A federal grand jury has indicted Peyton Blaise Watson, 19, on charges of stabbing his intimate partner in the neck. The incident occurred on the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation, and Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the indictment. Watson, a member of the Makah Tribe, faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He is currently detained at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac, with a trial date set for August 18, 2025.
Court records indicate that on May 9, 2025, police responded to a 911 call reporting that Watson had stabbed an adult female victim. Officers found the victim near Watson and once he was removed from the scene, she identified him as her attacker. The victim required surgery at Olympic Medical Center due to injuries sustained during the attack.
The FBI is involved in the investigation and collected evidence from the scene, including a black folding knife with blood residue. The victim suffered esophageal damage and nerve damage but was able to recount how Watson allegedly threatened her life during the attack.
Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in severe bodily injury carry potential penalties of up to ten years in prison, fines up to $250,000, and three years of supervised release.
The indictment's charges are allegations; individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
The FBI and Lower Elwha Klallam Police Department are investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ajay Ravindran are prosecuting it. Ms. Lee serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Western District of Washington.
