Warm Springs man admits domestic assault

A 26-year-old Warm Springs man pleaded guilty Monday before U.S. District Judge Michael Mosman to one count of domestic assault by an habitual offender, the third of three violent attacks that each landed the victim in a Madras hospital, prosecutors said.

Casey Marcus Lillie faces a possible maximum sentence for domestic assault by an habitual offender is 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20. Lillie is currently in the custody of the federal marshals.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to building and sustaining safe and secure Native communities across Oregon,” said Amanda Marshall, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Consistent with enhancing the prosecution of domestic violence offenders in Indian Country, this prosecution represents a step in the right direction of holding domestic violence offenders accountable.”

According to the prosecutor’s statements in court, on Dec. 12, 2012, Lillie assaulted a woman with whom he had been cohabitating as an intimate partner.

Lillie struck the victim with his hands and kicked her in the face with his feet. The assault caused extensive bruising to the victim’s face. The defendant battered the victim so severely that one of her eyes was temporarily swollen shut.

The victim’s injuries required her to be transported to Mt. View Hospital in Madras for medical attention.

On two separate prior occasions, in November 2011 and March 2012, Lillie was convicted in Warm Springs Tribal Court of assault and battery, as well as abduction, against the same victim, prosecutors said.

Both of those prior assaults also resulted in the victim being transported to Mt. View Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

The case was investigated by the Warm Springs Police Department and the FBI’s Bend office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Gabriel is prosecuting the case.