Spokane, Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Orlando L. Peterson, age 34, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Person Convicted of a Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence in Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 25 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on September 6, 2022, Peterson got into an altercation with his ex-girlfriend at his home, pushed her down some stairs, and stole a 9mm handgun from her purse. After the ex-girlfriend left the home, Peterson located her a short distance away and confronted her while he was holding the handgun. 

When Spokane Police contacted Peterson, he was in the car with another woman. The woman gave officers an extended pistol magazine she stated Peterson had asked her to hide. 

Later that day, Spokane Police executed a search warrant at Peterson’s home. Police found the handgun Peterson took, along with multiple rounds of assorted ammunition. Peterson was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as a result of multiple convictions for misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. 

In October 2022, U.S. Attorney Waldref announced her office’s Safe Homes, Safe Community Initiative to prevent domestic violence homicides and prevent abusers who have previously been convicted of domestic violence offenses from having access to firearms. Partnering with the Yakima Police Department, Yakima County Prosecutor’s Office, Spokane Police Department, and Spokane County Prosecutor’s Office, and domestic violence prevention advocates, the U.S. Attorney’s Office focuses enforcement on individuals identified as repeat domestic violence abusers who unlawfully possess firearms.

“Everyone deserves to live in a safe home free of domestic violence and fear of gun violence.  Here, Mr. Peterson pushed his ex-girlfriend down stairs and then later confronted her with a loaded gun, said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “My office, through our Safe Homes, Safe Community initiative focuses our enforcement efforts on repeat offenders, particularly those with a history of domestic violence and, like Mr. Peterson, are prohibited from having access to firearms. In so doing, we are protecting victims, law enforcement officers who respond to volatile domestic abuse situations, and the entire community.” 

“Firearms in the hands of convicted domestic abusers are an extreme danger to our families and our communities,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “So, this sentence is well justified and ensures that Mr. Peterson is safely away from our community for the imposed time period. We will always focus on investigating domestic abusers who use firearms in the furtherance of their violent crimes.”

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Spokane Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael L. Vander Giessen and Michael J. Ellis. 

U.S. Attorney Waldref recorded a video statement that can be found here.  

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Clarkston, WA — December 2, 2024 — The Clarkston School District Board of Directors is seeking applications from qualified community members to fill the vacancy for Director District No. 3. The Board encourages interested patrons to apply for this important leadership position.

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a U.S. citizen
2. Be a registered voter
3. Reside within the boundary of Director District No. 3 (a map of the district is available online at https://www.csdk12.org/page/board)

Written Description of Director District No. 3 Boundaries
Starting at the intersection of the Southway Bridge and 5th St -- North on 5th St to Highland Ave --  West on Highland Ave to 12th St -- North on 12th St to Libby St -- West on Libby St to 15th St -- South on 15th St to Scenic Way -- Westerly on Scenic Way to Old Vineyard Ditch -- Meandering southerly on Old Vineyard Ditch to Peaslee Ave -- East on Peaslee Ave to 13th St -- South on 13th St to 24th Ave -- East on 24th Ave to Post Ln -- Southeasterly on Post Ln to Riverside Dr -- Southwesterly on Riverside Dr to the school district boundary -- Counter-clockwise on the school district boundary to the Southway Bridge -- Northwest on the Southway Bridge to the point of the beginning.

Application Process
Interested individuals must submit a letter of interest by 12:00 p.m. on January 10, 2025 to:
Superintendent Thaynan Knowlton
1294 Chestnut Street
Clarkston, WA 99403

Interviews and the appointment of the new Director will occur during the regular School Board meeting on January 27, 2025.

For additional information, please contact Keri Myklebust at (509) 769-6338 or ustK@csdk12.org">MyklebustK@csdk12.org.


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Spokane, Washington – On November 27, 2024, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Carol Dacaymat Casilla to 24 months in federal prison in connection with Casilla’s fraud and embezzlement  of more than $715,000 from a Spokane medical practice at which she was employed between 2020 and 2023. Judge Rice also imposed 3 years of supervised release, as well as restitution to the victims in the amount of $715,255.09. 

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, between May 2020 and March 2023, Casilla was employed as an accountant by Spokane Dermatology Clinic (SDC), a dermatological practice located in Spokane. While employed at SDC, Casilla used her position to fraudulently issue company checks to herself and deposit them into her own personal accounts, and to make electronic funds transfers using company funds toward her personal credit cards. According to court documents, some of the transfers were made to a fictitious company that Casilla created in order to make it appear as though the transfers were for legitimate company expenditures. Casilla made hundreds of fraudulent transfers in this manner, stealing more than $715,000 in total.

“Ms. Casilla betrayed her employer’s trust and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars,” stated United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “Accountants and financial professionals like Ms. Casilla are given a significant amount of control over a company’s finances. This sentence should send a message that those who abuse their positions of trust  to enrich themselves will be held accountable.  I want to especially commend the stellar investigative work in this case done by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Agency.  We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who commit fraud and financial crimes.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spokane Resident Agency.  Assistant United States Attorney Dan Fruchter prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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On Friday, November 8, 2024, United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref, Executive Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Derrig, Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Seal, and Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse attended the Yakama Nation Veteran’s Powwow in White Swan, Washington. At the Powwow, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse recognized Missing and Murdered (MMIP) survivors, families, and their advocates in a red dress special and honor song.  U.S. Attorney Waldref’s efforts to improve public safety in Indian country and the leadership she has demonstrated in improving the federal response to MMIP, including bringing the Northwest MMIP AUSA position to the Eastern District of Washington, also were recognized at the event.

On Friday, November 12, 2024, AUSA Black Horse presented at the Yakima Domestic Violence Coalition Meeting, where AUSA Black Horse discussed the importance of applying a trauma-informed approach to domestic violence and child abuse involving American Indian and Alaska Native survivors.  AUSA Black Horse also provided a training regarding culturally sensitive practices for helping victims of violent crimes in Indian country.

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, AUSA Bree Black Horse, alongside the Yakama Nation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Washington Attorney General’s Office, and the Washington State Patrol took part in a community presentation at the Yakama Nation Winter Lodge. AUSA Black Horse, along with several of our state, federal, local, and Tribal partners shared resources available to families of victims to help them achieve justice for their loved ones. 

On November 18, 2024, AUSA Black Horse shared experiences from her legal career and the reasons she was led to serve Tribal communities through her work at the Justice Department with the Spokane Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol.

Later that same evening, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse led a panel discussion at the Gonzaga University School of Law hosted by the Center for Civil and Human Rights. Together, U.S. Attorney Waldref and AUSA Black Horse discussed the Department of Justice’s efforts to address the MMIP crisis and celebrated the advocacy of indigenous women in bringing critical resources to support Tribal justice and address the root causes of the MMIP crisis.

On November 21, 2024, The Justice Management Division (JMD) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Staff and DOJ Office of Tribal Justice hosted a nation-wide virtual program in observance of Native American Heritage Month. AUSA Black Horse presented on her role as an AUSA dedicated to prosecuting MMIP cases in the northwestern United States. 

“My office is committing to seeking justice for all who call Eastern Washington home,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref.  “The United States has a special trust relationship with each of the Tribes in Eastern Washington.  We will continue to engage in listening sessions and engage in community outreach to ensure victims’ voices are heard and their cries for help are answered.”

More information on Native American Heritage Month is available at https://www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov/ . 

Additional information regarding the Washington State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Task Force is available at https://www.atg.wa.gov/washington-state-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-and-people-task-force .

Clarkston, WA — November 27, 2024 — The Clarkston School District is urgently seeking bus drivers to join its dedicated team. No prior experience is required, as the district provides comprehensive training to ensure new drivers are fully prepared to safely transport students.

This opportunity is perfect for community members looking for flexible hours, competitive pay, and a chance to make a difference in the lives of local students. Bus drivers play a vital role in ensuring students arrive at school safely, ready to learn and return home securely each day.

“We understand that many may not have experience driving a bus, which is why we offer training,” said Superintendent Knowlton. “Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for caring, responsible individuals to join our team and support our students.”

Interested candidates can apply online at Clarkston School District Job Opportunities.

Join the Clarkston School District and help shape the future, one safe ride at a time!

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