A federal grand jury has indicted Peyton Blaise Watson, 19, for allegedly stabbing his intimate partner in the neck. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced the charges, which include assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The incident reportedly occurred on property within the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation. Watson is currently detained at the Federal Detention Center in SeaTac, with a trial set for August 18, 2025.
Court records indicate that on May 9, 2025, Lower Elwha Police and Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call from a witness who reported that Watson had stabbed an adult female victim. Officers found the victim near Watson; she identified him as her attacker after he was removed from the room. The victim was transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles for surgery due to her injuries.
The FBI is involved in the investigation and collected evidence from the scene, including a black folding knife approximately three inches long with blood residue on it.
The victim spent five days hospitalized due to injuries such as esophagus damage and nerve damage. She provided investigators with details of how Watson allegedly attacked her and threatened her life.
If convicted, Watson faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release for each charge.
It is important to note that these charges are allegations at this stage; Watson is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The case involves both the FBI and Lower Elwha Klallam Police Department’s investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ajay Ravindran are prosecuting the case. Ms. Lee also serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington’s Western District.
