SPOKANE, Wash. – A Yakima man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to stealing tribal cultural items from the Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
Court documents and other information presented at the hearing said on Oct. 30, 2020, 61-year-old Kevin William Wissman of Yakima stole five moccasins and a beaded glove that were on display. The stolen items have yet to be recovered.
“This theft was devastating to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and the individuals who lost their invaluable family heirlooms,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard Barker. “My office takes seriously the theft of any Indian cultural items and will continue to hold accountable those who illegally take, possess or traffic in such items.”
Wissman’s sentencing is set for June 12 at 1:30 p.m. Anyone with information on the stolen items is asked to contact the Kalispel Tribal Police Department at 509-481-4444.
