A 20-year-old member of the Makah Tribe, Peyton Blaise Watson, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for stabbing his intimate partner in the neck on tribal land. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court in Tacoma and was announced by U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd.
The incident occurred on May 9, 2025, at a residence within the Lower Elwha Klallam Reservation. Law enforcement responded after a witness called 911 to report the attack. Officers found the victim near Watson and removed him from her presence before she identified him as her assailant. She was transported to Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles where she underwent surgery and remained hospitalized for five days.
U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright described the assault as “violent and extremely dangerous…” She added: “The victim was stabbed in the neck in a fit of rage that was uncontrolled. It was not due to care or avoidance of more serious injury, but really only a matter of luck that we are not here today on a much more serious charge.”
U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd stated: “This case exemplifies our commitment to addressing crime on tribal lands – especially violent crime against vulnerable victims. This was a shocking and unprovoked assault that easily could have been fatal. A term of incarceration will serve to protect the public and the victim. I hope that time in custody will give Watson an opportunity to reform his behavior.”
According to court documents, this is considered an isolated incident with no prior history of violence by Watson, who had no criminal record at the time of the offense.
Following his prison sentence, Watson will be subject to three years of federal supervision, which includes mental health monitoring and drug treatment.
The investigation involved both the FBI and Lower Elwha Klallam Police Department, with evidence including a black folding knife recovered from the scene.
Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee prosecuted the case and serves as Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.
