A Tri-Cities man, Jordan Michael Gunlock, has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison following a guilty plea for strangling and assaulting his girlfriend. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke, also includes three years of supervised release.
The incidents occurred in November 2023 and November 2024. In the first instance, Gunlock assaulted his girlfriend at her home in Wapato, Washington. The second incident took place at the Legends Hotel Casino in Toppenish, Washington, where Gunlock strangled his girlfriend. After the latter attack, hotel employees called law enforcement when they found the victim distressed in the lobby.
Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse highlighted Gunlock’s history of violence and threats towards his girlfriend and her family during sentencing arguments. Black Horse emphasized that the imposed sentence and a federal no-contact order aim to deter future violence.
Judge Dimke noted that Gunlock violated a state court domestic violence protection order at the time of his arrest and attempted to obstruct justice by pressuring his girlfriend not to cooperate with authorities. “Protecting victims and ensuring their safety is a top priority for our office,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker.
W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office, affirmed: “Mr. Gunlock’s sentencing demonstrates the FBI’s continued commitment to the safety of the state’s tribal communities.” This case falls under the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program aimed at addressing such issues within Tribal communities.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led this investigation with prosecution by Assistant United States Attorney Bree Black Horse.
