NESPELUM, Wash. — A Nespelem man was sentenced to two years in prison for terrorizing his girlfriend during a fight.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Washington, 35-year-old Jered Shay Picard got into an argument with the woman on December 14, 2024.
Prosecutors said the woman locked herself in a pickup truck to get away from Picard, and he pointed a rifle at her face before firing a shot into the air.
They said she tried to drive away, but Picard shot out the front driver’s side tire.
Attorneys said the victim recorded the entire incident.
They also said there were jail phone recordings between Picard and the victim, with Picard telling her to convince investigators she did not want to press charges, to avoid meeting with the FBI, to delete the video she recorded, and to tell investigators that they were both drunk at the time.
His charges included assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country and attempted witness tampering.
“Mr. Picard’s actions were both life-threatening and deeply disturbing,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “He used a firearm to terrorize his intimate partner and then attempted to manipulate her into obstructing justice. This sentence reflects the grave danger posed by armed domestic abusers—not only to their current victims, but to future partners and to the integrity of the justice system itself.”
“Mr. Picard’s violent and intimidating actions were inexcusable, continuing in an aggressive and dangerous pursuit even when his victim tried to flee in a vehicle. He then compounded his crimes by continuing to intimidate the victim in a brazen attempt to avoid accountability for his actions,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office. “I hope this sentence provides the first steps to closure and reinforces our commitment to combatting violent crime in all its forms. Along with our partners, the FBI is dedicated to making our state’s tribal lands a safer place.”
The case was initially investigated by the FBI and the Colville Tribal Police Department.
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