Yakima Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Kalispel Tribal Cultural Items from the Northern Quest Resort and Casino

Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that on March 12, 2025, Kevin William Wissman, age 61, of Yakima, Washington, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington to one misdemeanor count of theft from an Indian tribal organization.

Based on court documents and information presented at the change-of-plea hearing, on October 30, 2020, Wissman stole five moccasins and one beaded glove that were on display in the Heritage Hall of the Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Airway Heights, Washington. The items were displayed inside a shadow box and behind a glass display window at the time Wissman stole them. To date, the stolen items have not been recovered.

“This theft was devastating to the Kalispel Tribe of Indians and the individuals who lost their invaluable family heirlooms,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney 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.”

“To the Kalispel Tribe, these are not just decorative items in a display case, but rather priceless and irreplaceable pieces of the Kalispel’s history,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “Together with our tribal and federal partners, FBI Seattle will not accept the theft of cultural items and will work to reinforce the consequences of these actions to deter other would-be thieves.”

“We’re grateful to the Kalispel Tribal Police Department and the FBI for tracking down the person responsible for the theft of these cherished family heirlooms,” said Nick Pierre, a Kalispel Tribal Council Member and General Manager of Northern Quest Resort & Casino. “While we hope justice will be served, it doesn’t make up for the fact that the items have still not been recovered. The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to the safe return of the stolen items. We encourage anyone with information to please come forward.”

To report information about the stolen items, please contact the Kalispel Tribal Police Department at (509) 481-4444.

United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice accepted Wissman’s guilty plea and set sentencing for June 12, 2025, at 1:30 pm.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Kalispel Tribal Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. It is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael L. Vander Giessen.

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