Spokane, Washington – The United States’s Attorney’s Office and the City of Spokane jointly announced today the appointment of a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) for the Eastern District of Washington. The SAUSA, Annika Tangvald, will prosecute cases in federal court relating to illegal narcotics impacting the City of Spokane. Ms. Tangvald was sworn into office by Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker on May 19, 2025. 

In making this announcement, Acting U.S. Attorney Barker reiterated his office’s commitment to combating the opioid epidemic. “We see the impact of fentanyl and other drugs in almost every case we prosecute – including violent crime, firearms trafficking, prosecution of transnational gangs and cartels, and even in some of our fraud and human trafficking cases.  Having a dedicated prosecutor for these cases allows the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring more cases specifically focused on the City of Spokane.  SAUSA Tangvald, who I worked with as an AUSA in this office, is a talented lawyer and she will be working with some of the finest prosecutors in the United States to ensure those who distribute large amounts of drugs into the Spokane community are held responsible.”  Acting U.S. Attorney Barker added, “I am so grateful to the City for their collaboration to make this joint vision a reality.”

“The City of Spokane Prosecutor’s Office is committed to a multi-prong approach to end the fentanyl epidemic our community faces,” stated Justin Bingham, Prosecutor for the City of Spokane. “Partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office will greatly strengthen our current efforts to hold drug-related offenders accountable. I’m excited to see the positive impacts this joint position will bring to Spokane.”

SAUSA Tangvald is a Spokane native with deep roots in Eastern Washington. Since 2023, Tangvald has served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County where she prosecuted criminal cases in Spokane County Superior Court. Prior to her time as a county prosecutor, Tangvald was a law clerk at the U.S Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Washington. She is a graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law.

“I am honored to be returning to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and to serve in this unique role,” stated SAUSA Tangvald. “Becoming a federal prosecutor has been a dream of mine, and I look forward to working with the City and with the United States Attorney’s Office to improving public safety in the city I love.”  

About the U.S. Attorney’s Office

The United States Attorney's Office is responsible for representing the federal government in almost all litigation involving the United States in the Eastern District of Washington, which is comprised of the 20 Washington counties east of the Cascade Mountains. The U.S. Attorney’s Office handles all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, as well as civil lawsuits by and against the U.S. government. It is the mission and the pledge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to represent the United States with determination, professionalism, and integrity. The District’s headquarters is located in Spokane, Washington, with branch offices in Richland and Yakima.

About the City of Spokane

The City of Spokane, home to more than 229,000 people, is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. Our 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. For more information, visit www.spokanecity.org and follow us @spokanecity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 The Spokane City Council unanimously approved funding for the SAUSA position in late 2024. 

Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that Gabriela Abundiz, age 45, was sentenced after pleading guilty to distributing methamphetamine. Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 180 months to be followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in 2017 Abundiz was convicted of selling drugs in Montana and sentenced to 70 months in prison. Following her sentence, and during the period of her supervised release in that case, Abundiz was found to be selling drugs in the Eastern District of Washington. A warrant was issued for her arrest. 

On April 2, 2024, officers and detectives with the Omak Police Department (OPD) saw Abundiz go into an apartment. OPD obtained a warrant to enter the apartment and arrest Abundiz. Inside the apartment OPD located two backpacks that contained methamphetamine, 2,649 fentanyl pills, fentanyl powder, marijuana, a digital scale, and a pipe used for smoking drugs. Abundiz had two cellphones when she was arrested. One of the phones contained pictures of large sums of cash, fentanyl pills, and text conversations regarding illegal drugs.

“Ms. Abundiz returned to drug trafficking even while under federal supervision for a prior conviction,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “Her continued criminal conduct, especially involving fentanyl, posed a serious threat to the safety and health of Eastern Washington communities. Her sentence reflects the consequences of violating the Court’s trust and our office’s continuing commitment to combating drug trafficking in communities and neighborhoods throughout Eastern Washington.”

“DEA’s core mission is to protect Americans from drug traffickers like Ms. Abundiz and we will go to any legal length to ensure traffickers like her are accountable for their crimes,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “Despite serving a lengthy prison term, Ms. Abundiz would not stop selling poison to her community and ultimately paid a heavy price for continuing her wicked ways.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Omak Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.

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Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Brandon L. Scott, age 40, to 22 months in prison for making a bomb threat onboard a flight to Seattle. Judge Rice also imposed 3 years of supervised release and $79,449.47 in restitution to Alaska Airlines and the Spokane International Airport.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, On July 5, 2023, Scott was a passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle. During the flight, Scott handed a flight attendant a note that said in part:

“There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry-on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board. You are to alert the pilot to this note and keep the issue to yourself. Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose.”

The note included instructions to reroute the plane from its destination in Seattle and land at another airport. The flight attendant alerted the captain and co-pilot to the threat who then alerted Air Traffic Control. Air Traffic Control diverted the flight to the Spokane International Airport. The airport placed a ground stop on all aircraft, resulting in significant delays to other departing and arriving aircraft and passengers.

The plane landed at Spokane International Airport and Scott was taken into custody and admitted to what he had done. No explosive materials or devices were found on the plane.

“Threatening the safety of a commercial flight is a serious federal crime that puts lives at risk, disrupts national air travel, and drains emergency resources,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “Mr. Scott’s actions caused widespread disruption and alarm, and this case underscores our commitment to protecting the safety of passengers and airline personnel in Eastern Washington and across the country.”

“The threat made by Mr. Scott ended up being a hoax, but he is finding it had real-life consequences,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office.  “Fortunately, his actions did not result in anyone being hurt. I am grateful that the flight landed without incident in this case and applaud the flight crew for the professional manner in which they handled a potentially dangerous situation.”
 

This case was investigated the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Tyler H.L. Tornabene and Patrick J. Cashman.

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Yakima, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Alexandro Aguilar, 33, to 30 years in prison, Kassandra M. Montelongo, 27, to 10 years in prison, and Luis Lara, 25, to 10 years in prison on drug trafficking charges.

According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, in August 2022, Aguilar was being held at the Spokane County Jail, following state court conviction for murder. Deputies with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office developed information Aguilar was regularly communicating from jail with Montelongo, who was acting as his agent for a drug trafficking operation on the outside.  Investigators also developed information that Lara and another man, Jose Garcia, were also involved in the drug operation.

Between December 2022 and January 2023, agents conducted several controlled drug purchases in Spokane Valley, from Aguilar’s drug operation totaling 7,700 fentanyl pills and more than 7 pounds of methamphetamine. Federal law enforcement additionally obtained cocaine through these controlled purchases, which involved convert purchases under law enforcement supervision of illegal drugs to use as evidence against the defendants.

On June 7, 2023, federal agents executed a search warrant at Montelongo’s home in Sunnyside, Washington. During the search, agents located approximately 11 pounds of methamphetamine, a small scale, and ziplock bags. Additionally, agents located multiple high-capacity magazines, bulk ammunition in various calibers, one AR-15 style rifle, two pistols, and cash.

On January 24, 2025, Garcia was sentenced to 10 years in prison on one count of methamphetamine distribution.

“Drug trafficking continues to devastate families and communities across Eastern Washington, especially in our most vulnerable and underserved areas,” stated Acting United States Attorney Rich Barker. “Our office will continue to pursue those who profit of off addiction and violence, and we will continue to support law enforcement efforts to stop the flow of deadly narcotics like fentanyl and protect the people we serve.”

This case was investigated by the FBI Spokane Regional Safe Streets Task Force and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Nowles H. Heinrich and Patrick J. Cashman.

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Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell sentenced Zhango Liang, 24, of Fuzhou City, China, to 264 days in prison on a fraud charge connected to a fraud scheme involving counterfeit iPads. At sentencing Judge Pennell acknowledged Liang served 101 days on related charges in Skagit County, Washington, for a total of one year in prison. Judge Pennell also imposed 3 years of supervised release and restitution of $326,000. The state and federal convictions for the fraud scheme are Liang’s first criminal convictions. 

According to court documents, in the Summer of 2023, Liang was approached by a friend who offered him a job using gift cards to make purchases at Target stores. The items would then be delivered to another person.

Beginning in December 2023, Liang was instructed to start doing returns of counterfeit iPads. As part of the scheme, Liang would purchase authentic iPads from Target stores in the Eastern District of Washington and elsewhere, remove them from their boxes, place counterfeit iPads in the boxes, then reseal the boxes. Liang would then return the counterfeit iPads and receive a refund on a Target gift card. Liang would use the gift cards to purchase additional items from Target, including more iPads that they would replace with counterfeit goods for subsequent returns.

Between January 2024 and June 2024, Liang returned at least 140 iPads to Target stores and was refunded approximately $163,000. Because Target both lost the authentic iPad in the

scheme and reimbursed the purchase amount to a gift card, the loss amount to Target was approximately $326,000.

“Mr. Liang participated in a calculated scheme that exploited retail return systems for substantial personal gain, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “This type of fraud undermines the integrity of commerce and ultimately affects everyday consumers by raising prices for everyone.  I am so grateful for the diligent work of Homeland Security Investigations and our partners throughout this investigation to protect everyday consumers, who live and work in Eastern Washington.”

“Today’s sentencing delivers a message: individuals who engage in sophisticated fraud schemes will be aggressively pursued and held accountable,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle Acting Special Agent in Charge Matthew Murphy.  “The defendant manipulated weaknesses in the retail return system to steal high-value electronics, defrauding not only a major corporation but also the consumers who ultimately shoulder the cost. We remain steadfast in our commitment to working alongside our law enforcement and corporate partners to identify financial crimes and ensure those responsible face justice."

Liang’s co-defendant, Linda You, pleaded guilty to a fraud charge and will be sentenced on June 23, 2025, in Spokane. 

The case was referred for federal investigation by the Washington Attorney General’s Office Organized Retail Crime Task Force and the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, highlighting the important and successful partnership between federal and state law enforcement agencies to address organized retail crimes.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeremy J. Kelley.

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Portland, Ore. — As wildfire season approaches, the Bureau of Land Management is increasing readiness and bolstering rural firefighting efforts by transferring surplus BLM fire engines to local cooperators. Through the Rural Fire Readiness program, these transfers aim to improve wildfire preparedness, strengthen interagency cooperation, and help protect vital community resources.

The RFR program provides eligible, local cooperators with essential firefighting resources, including training, tools, communications equipment, and vehicles. By supporting these cooperators, the BLM helps expand firefighting capacity across private, state, tribal, and federal lands, particularly in remote and high-risk areas.

By working together, these groups help protect homes and infrastructure that anchor rural communities, as well as important local resources, including grazing lands that support rural economies, recreational areas that draw tourism and outdoor enthusiasts, and critical wildlife habitat.

The BLM recently transferred engines to two departments:

• Lincoln County Fire District 8 (Spokane District) received a Type 6 engine, a nimble vehicle capable of accessing rugged terrain and quickly extinguishing small fires before they grow.
• Juniper Flats Rural Fire Protection District (Prineville District) received a Type 4 engine, ideal for extended attack operations and increased suppression capacity.

On the Juniper Flats transfer, Fire Chief for Juniper Flats RFPD, Eugene Walters, commented, “This engine will help control wildland fires in our community so they don’t become major fire events and will provide greater capabilities to protect local lives and property.”

Through continued collaboration and support, the BLM and its rural fire partners are helping ensure faster, more effective responses to wildfire threats across Oregon and Washington.

“We’re happy to see this truck go to a good partner.  We work on challenging incidents with Juniper Flats most every summer, I hope this truck gives them even more capacity,” said James Purswell, Assistant Fire Management Officer-Preparedness.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.