United States of America v. Rickie Lorenzo Smith

Yakima, Washington criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse, Intimate Partner, or Dating Partner in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1153 in indian Country.

Reported by Kent Morlan

Rickie Lorenzo Smith, age 51, a member of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation, assaulted his then-partner by hitting, choking and strangling her while the two attended a birthday celebration in Pioneer Park in Toppenish, Washington on August 17, 2023. Evidence of the victim’s injuries, the victim’s testimony, and the testimony of a bystander who called 911 and reported the crime was presented at trial. Smith has multiple prior arrests related to domestic violence incidents. The jury acquitted Smith of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury.

The Defendant was found guilty and was 10 years in prison to be followed by up to 3 years of supervised release.