Yakima, Washington – A Tri-Cities man has been sentenced to federal prison for assaulting and strangling his girlfriend. Jordan Michael Gunlock, 33, received a sentence of 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke handed down the sentence after Gunlock pleaded guilty to the charges.
The incidents occurred in November 2023 and November 2024. In the first incident, an argument at his girlfriend's home in Wapato, Washington, led to Gunlock pulling her hair and injuring her. He fled when law enforcement was called. The second incident took place at Legends Hotel Casino in Toppenish, Washington, where Gunlock strangled his girlfriend in their hotel room. She managed to escape to the hotel lobby where employees called law enforcement.
Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse argued for a two-year sentence due to Gunlock's repeated assaults and threats against his girlfriend and her family. Black Horse emphasized that the sentence aims to deter future acts of intimate partner violence by Gunlock.
Judge Dimke noted that Gunlock violated a state court domestic violence protection order by being at his girlfriend’s residence during his arrest. Text messages revealed he pressured her not to cooperate with authorities, believing charges would be dropped if she did not appear in court.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker stated, “Protecting victims and ensuring their safety is a top priority for our office.” He highlighted the commitment to working with Tribal partners on cases involving intimate partner violence in Indian Country.
Special Agent W. Mike Herrington from the FBI Seattle field office commented on the case: “Mr. Gunlock’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to the safety of the state’s tribal communities.”
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program aimed at preventing and responding to such cases through collaboration with various partners.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse.
