Description: Portland, Oregon criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with stealing tools from Warm Springs Composite Products, a wood products manufacturing business owned by the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

On January 28, 2023, Kevin Neal Strampher, Jr., 40, entered the Warm Springs Composite Products mill and stole more than $2,000 in power and hand tools. Using surveillance footage obtained by the mill manager and other evidence collected, Warm Springs Tribal Police officers identified Strampher as the individual who burglarized the business.

On March 21, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Strampher with theft from an Indian tribal organization. On September 14, 2023, Strampher pleaded guilty to the single charge.

This case was investigated by the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department with assistance from the FBI. It was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Updated December 7, 2023

Theft from an Indian Tribal Organization in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1163:

Whoever embezzles, steals, knowingly converts to his use or the use of another, willfully misapplies, or willfully permits to be misapplied, any of the moneys, funds, credits, goods, assets, or other property belonging to any Indian tribal organization or intrusted to the custody or care of any officer, employee, or agent of an Indian tribal organization; or

Whoever, knowing any such moneys, funds, credits, goods, assets, or other property to have been so embezzled, stolen, converted, misapplied or permitted to be misapplied, receives, conceals, or retains the same with intent to convert it to his use or the use of another—

Shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; but if the value of such property does not exceed the sum of $1,000, he shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

As used in this section, the term “Indian tribal organization” means any tribe, band, or community of Indians which is subject to the laws of the United States relating to Indian affairs or any corporation, association, or group which is organized under any of such laws.

Outcome: Sentencing Hearing held before Judge Adrienne Nelson as to Defendant Kevin Neal Strampher, Jr. Defendant sentenced to TIME SERVED; 1 year of SUPERVISED RELEASE. Defendant shall pay restitution in the amount of $2,378.09. See Formal Judgment. Defendant ordered to pay special assessment in the amount of $100.00. Defendant advised of right to appeal. Counsel Present for Government: Pamela Paaso. Counsel Present for Defendant: Megha Desai. (USPO Present: Adam Jacobson) (Court Reporter Kellie Humiston) (joha) (Entered: 12/07/2023)

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