Whatcom County man pleads guilty to domestic violence assault resulting in serious bodily injury

Seattle – A 49-year-old member of the Lummi Nation pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Jason Sieber Sr. was charged federally in February 2024, for the October 20, 2023, assault of his domestic partner. Sieber has been detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac since his arrest in February 2024. He is scheduled for sentencing on December 20, 2024.

According to records filed in the case, Sieber became angry with the victim over the amount of time it was taking for her to cook dinner. He struck her repeatedly in the face and head and kept her from leaving the home to get help. The blows with his closed fist caused the victim to suffer facial fractures, extreme pain, and disfigurement.

The victim reported the assault to Lummi Nation Police a few days after the assault. Sieber was charged in tribal court. The case was ultimately referred to federal prosecutors.

Assault resulting in bodily injury is punishable by up to ten years in prison. U.S. District Judge Ricardo S. Martinez will determine the appropriate sentence after considering sentencing guidelines and other factors.

The case was investigated by the Lummi Nation Police Department and the FBI as part of the Safe Trails Taskforce.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys J. Tate London and Erika Evans. Mr. London serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U. S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.