Levi Eugene Charles, Second Degree Murder, Washington 2013
Levi Eugene Charles, 26, Pleads Guilty to Second Degree Murder on Lummi Reservation
An enrolled member of the Nooksack Tribe, Levi Eugene Charles, pleaded guilty to second degree murder in U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington. The crime occurred on the Lummi reservation on October 23, 2012, when Charles killed Sauk-Suiattle Tribal member Kenneth Joseph by striking him in the head and face with an ax.
According to the plea agreement, Charles planned to break into Joseph's home to steal items to sell for cash. He picked up a miniature baseball bat outside the residence and carried it inside. Joseph heard the intruder and confronted him, leading Charles to hit him multiple times with the bat before grabbing an ax and striking him in the head and face.
After killing Joseph, Charles threw a blanket over the body and hung blankets over the windows to conceal the crime scene. He stole an ATM card from Joseph's wallet and took a TV and other items from the house. Charles used the ATM card a few hours later to take $420 from Joseph's bank account.
Charles was arrested on October 29, 2012, and was indicted on December 19, 2012. The case was investigated by the Lummi Police Department and the FBI, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, both sides will recommend a sentence between 22 and 27 years in prison when Charles is sentenced on August 2, 2013. U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones is not bound by the recommendation and can impose any sentence up to the maximum allowed by law: a life prison term.
Levi Eugene Charles, 26, Defendant
Second Degree Murder, Criminal Charge
Seattle, Washington, City and State
October 23, 2012, Exact Date of Crime
22-27 years in prison, Sentence or Outcome
$420, Dollar Amount
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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