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Spokane Tribe Casino Kidnap Attempt: Washington Man Sentenced to Nearly Seven Years in Prison

By jili tutorial · October 10, 2026

Spokane Tribe Casino Kidnap Attempt: Washington Man Sentenced to Nearly Seven Years in Prison

A Washington state man has been sentenced to nearly seven years in federal prison following a harrowing attempted kidnapping at the Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights, Wash. The incident, which occurred in April 2024, involved the man dragging his girlfriend by the hair across the casino parking lot and forcing her into his truck after she tried to escape. This article delves into the details of the case, the legal proceedings, and the broader implications of domestic violence prosecutions in Indian Country.

Details of the Incident

The Casino Confrontation

On April 26, 2024, Joseph Parisien, a 35-year-old man from Colville, Washington, and his girlfriend were at the Spokane Tribe Casino. According to federal prosecutors, the woman left the casino with a friend, prompting Parisien to follow them to the friend’s home. There, he allegedly assaulted the woman in the road, knocking her to the ground and kicking her in the face.

Afterward, the pair returned to the casino parking lot, where Parisien escalated his violent behavior. He pulled the woman from the vehicle and dragged her by her hair to his truck. When she attempted to escape by running across the parking lot, Parisien chased her, knocked her down, and dragged her across a rocky median back to the vehicle. He forced her into the truck again, continued assaulting her, and drove away.

The woman’s disappearance triggered a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) alert, highlighting the disproportionate impact of violence on Indigenous communities. Investigators tracked Parisien first to his residence in Spokane and then to a motel in Colville before locating the woman safely in Spokane on April 29. Parisien was arrested the following day.

Sentencing and Charges

On October 5, 2024, U.S. District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Parisien to a total of 82 months in federal prison. The sentence includes 70 months for attempted kidnapping in Indian Country and an additional 12 months for violating supervised release from a prior federal conviction. Parisien will also serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.

Prosecution and Defense

Despite claims from Parisien and his girlfriend in a May 2024 interview with KHQ that the incident was a misunderstanding, federal prosecutors proceeded with the case. FBI Seattle Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington condemned Parisien’s actions as “appalling,” emphasizing his evasion of law enforcement and the violence inflicted on the victim.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano underscored the importance of prosecuting repeat domestic violence offenders to protect victims and prevent further abuse. The investigation involved collaboration between the FBI, Spokane Tribal Police, other tribal and municipal police departments, and the Washington State Patrol.

Broader Implications

Domestic Violence in Indian Country

This case highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing domestic violence in tribal jurisdictions. The federal government’s jurisdiction over crimes committed in Indian Country, as outlined in the Major Crimes Act, plays a critical role in prosecuting such offenses.

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Crisis

The issuance of an MMIP alert during the search for Parisien’s girlfriend underscores the crisis of violence against Indigenous women and girls in the U.S. According to the National Crime Information Center, Indigenous women face disproportionately high rates of violence, making cases like this one particularly significant.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Joseph Parisien serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of holding offenders accountable. It also highlights the critical role of interagency collaboration in addressing crimes in Indian Country. As efforts to combat domestic violence and the MMIP crisis continue, cases like this underscore the need for robust legal frameworks and community support.