TOPPENISH MAN CONVICTED OF STRANGLING INTIMATE PARTNER DURING 2023 ASSAULT

YAKIMA, Wash. — August 21, 2026 — A federal jury has found Rickie Lorenzo Smith, 51, of Toppenish, guilty of assaulting his then-partner by strangulation during an incident in Pioneer Park on the Yakama Nation.

Smith, a member of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation, was convicted of Assault of a Spouse, Intimate Partner, or Dating Partner by Strangulation in Indian Country, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 and 113(a)(8). Chief U.S. District Judge Stanley A. Bastian presided over the trial and scheduled sentencing for December 2, 2026. Smith faces up to 10 years in federal prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, the assault occurred on August 17, 2023, while Smith and his then-partner were attending a birthday celebration at Pioneer Park in Toppenish, Washington.

Prosecutors presented evidence that Smith hit, choked and strangled the victim during the assault. The government’s case included evidence of the victim’s injuries, testimony from the victim and testimony from a bystander who witnessed the incident and called 911.

The federal strangulation statute applies to assault against a spouse, intimate partner or dating partner when a defendant intentionally, knowingly or recklessly impedes normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the throat or neck. Federal law expressly states that visible injury is not required for conduct to qualify as strangulation under the statute. A conviction under 18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(8) carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.

Smith was also tried on a separate count of Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury, but the jury acquitted him of that charge. The distinction is important: Smith stands convicted of the strangulation offense, while the separate substantial-bodily-injury allegation did not result in a conviction.

Federal prosecutors also stated that Smith has multiple prior arrests related to domestic-violence incidents. Those prior arrests were referenced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, but the August 21 announcement does not identify them as convictions and does not provide details regarding the outcomes of those earlier cases.

Because the offense occurred in Indian Country and Smith is an enrolled tribal member, the prosecution proceeded under 18 U.S.C. § 1153, commonly known as the Major Crimes Act. That statute gives the federal government jurisdiction over specified serious offenses, including felony assaults under Section 113, when committed by an Indian within Indian Country.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano said the verdict reflected the work of investigators and prosecutors pursuing accountability in a violent domestic-assault case.

W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle Field Office, said the verdict demonstrated that violence against intimate partners would not be tolerated and credited investigators and prosecutors with pursuing the case on behalf of the victim.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Yakima Resident Agency and the Yakama Nation Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Courtney R. Pratten and Michael D. Murphy prosecuted the case.

One date in the Justice Department announcement requires clarification. The August 21, 2026 release states that the jury returned its verdict on August 19, 2025, while also describing the verdict as current and setting sentencing for December 2, 2026. The official DOJ page itself contains that date, so TRJ is preserving the government’s published record rather than silently changing it.

Smith has been convicted of the strangulation offense. His final sentence will be determined by the federal court on December 2.

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