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Man sentenced for sexually assaulting incapacitated 16-year-old, recording it, and sending her the video

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YAKIMA, Wash. (TCN) — A 20-year-old man will spend several years behind bars for sexually abusing an underage teen and sending her a video of the assault.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington announced that on April 14, a judge sentenced Darius Speedis, a member of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, to 72 months, or six years, in federal prison for sexual abuse. Speedis will also have to serve 10 years of supervised release and register as a sex offender.

According to prosecutors, in November 2022, Speedis sexually assaulted a 16-year-old Native American woman who had “become intoxicated and incapacitated.” Speedis committed the crime on the Yakama Nation after multiple teenagers, including the victim and Speedis, drank alcohol. The U.S. Attorney’s office noted that some of the alcohol was provided by Speedis.

The victim reportedly has no memory of the assault, but Speedis recorded it and sent the video to her. Law enforcement did not recover the video, and it was deleted.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, the judge presiding over the case “took into account the abuse of trust involved in the sexual assault, including the recording of the sexual assault, as well as Speedis’ age and reported remorse before pronouncing sentence.” The judge emphasized the “epidemic” of sexual abuse that occurs on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation.

In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker said, “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. This sentence reflects the seriousness of Mr.  Speedis’ conduct and our unwavering commitment to seeking justice for victims of sexual assault. My office will continue working closely with our Tribal partners to hold offenders accountable and support survivors on their path to healing.”

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