Spokane, Washington – On March 12, 2025, Kevin William Wissman from Yakima, Washington, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of theft from an Indian tribal organization. This plea was entered in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
According to court documents and information presented at the hearing, Wissman stole cultural items on October 30, 2020. These included five moccasins and one beaded glove from the Heritage Hall of Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights, Washington. The stolen items were housed in a shadow box behind a glass display window and have not been 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 R. 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."
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office stated that these are "priceless and irreplaceable pieces" for the Kalispel Tribe rather than mere decorative items.
Nick Pierre, a Kalispel Tribal Council Member and General Manager of Northern Quest Resort & Casino expressed gratitude towards law enforcement agencies for tracking down Wissman but noted that justice would not compensate for the unrecovered items. He mentioned that "The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the safe return of the stolen items."
Those with information about the stolen cultural artifacts are urged to contact the Kalispel Tribal Police Department at (509) 481-4444.
Judge Rice accepted Wissman's guilty plea with sentencing scheduled for June 12, 2025.
The investigation involved collaboration between multiple agencies including the FBI and Kalispel Tribal Police Department with support from U.S. Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Vander Giessen.