A jury has found Jose Antonio Saldana, a 43-year-old resident of Wapato, Washington, guilty of three counts of abusive sexual contact and aggravated sexual abuse. The verdict was announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard Barker.
The trial revealed that Saldana sexually abused three children under the age of 13 from August 1999 to January 2014 in Wapato. During the proceedings, the victims testified about their experiences, detailing incidents where Saldana touched them inappropriately and attempted further abuse.
United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke oversaw the trial, which commenced on March 10, 2024. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2025, in Yakima, Washington.
Acting United States Attorney Barker praised the courage of the victims who testified against Saldana. "The victims who came forward in this case demonstrated tremendous courage and bravery," he said. He acknowledged that it often takes years for victims to disclose such events and noted that their testimony led to Saldana's conviction. "For his horrific crimes, Mr. Saldana will face a sentence of thirty years to life."
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, W. Mike Herrington, highlighted the severity of the case: "In this devastating case, Mr. Saldana abused multiple children for more than a decade on the Yakama Nation Reservation." Herrington emphasized the FBI's commitment to protecting vulnerable community members from abuse and violence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Yakama Nation Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy is prosecuting the case.