Facebook Photo: 2015 photo of David Baldwin, now subject of major federal domestic assault investigation involving two alleged victims. U.P. Breaking News has provided in-depth coverage of this case.
First Listen to the words of the Lake Great Tillie Black Bear – a national leader in the fight against domestic violence against Native women – Listen to Tillie Black Bear address at Northern Michigan University in Marquette not long before she began her walk
Prison term for habitual tribal domestic batterer: 28-year-old Justin Ryan Wykoff of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan – The federal crackdown on tribal domestic violence continues across northern Michigan
U.P. Breaking News updates other cases in which the tribal batterer is expected to go to prison
By Greg Peterson
U.P. Breaking News
Owner, News Director
906-273-2433
(Marquette, MI) -These guys apparently think they are super tough, til they cower before a scolding from a federal judge in Marquette.
For the past three years, federal prosecutors in northern Michigan have been filing charges and going to great effort to protect victims of habitual domestic violence.
28-year-old Justin Ryan Wykoff of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan was given three and a half years (42) months in federal prison without parole for habitual tribal batterer.
He was sentenced for domestic violence by a habitual offender on Nov. 7, 2016 by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney.
Wykoff admitted attacking his live-in girlfriend on Dec. 18, 2015 in Chippewa County on tribal trust lands of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.
The attacked occurred in the parking lot of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Health Center.
Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Police investigated the case after a witness came forward.
Like many being prosecuted in federal court in Marquette, Wykoff has a history of state and tribal domestic violence convictions involving the same girlfriend.
Judge Maloney condemned Wykoff’s treatment of women – as federal prosecutors continue sending tribal domestic violence offenders to prison for long terms.
Asst. U.S Attorney Hannah Bobee and Asst. U.S. Attorney Paul D. Lochner have been aggressively proceeding with habitual domestic violence cases on tribal lands. They have the backing of their boss in Grand Rapids – U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr.,- the head federal prosecutor for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan that includes the U.P.
Meanwhile in other tribal domestic violence cases:
38-year-old Scott Joseph Loonsfoot of L’Anse, MI:
A sentencing date has been set for 38-year-old Scott Joseph Loonsfoot of L’Anse, MI – as his presenting report was filed in federal court.
In a federal plea agreement, Loonsfoot admitted on April 15, 2016 he strangled his KBIC girlfriend.
In the agreement Loonsfoot admits the “factual basis of guilt.”
The attack occurred at a residence on the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community reservation in Baraga County.
Loonsfoot admitted that he strangled or attempted to strangle his dating partner. Both are Native American.
“During the altercation” with the victim, Loonsfoot “grabbed her by the neck and intentionally applied pressure” and the victim “could not breathe,” the plea agreement states.
The maximum sentence Loonsfoot could receive in his upcoming sentencing is 10 years in federal prison.
43-year-old Glenn Daniel Tolonen, Sr. of Baraga, Michigan is serving a two and a half years (30 months) in federal prison after being sentence earlier this year for habitual domestic violence.
Tolonen must also complete a 500 hour residential substance abuse program and a batterer’s treatment program. He will be placed on two years supervised release after serving his prison term.
Feds continue their crackdown on tribal domestic violence and arresting a lot of people who prey on children and racking up convictions or guilty pleas
In the Upper Peninsula many of the cases are very brutal – This Predatory Behavior by Wimps Must Stop – and … Please my message to all the domestic violence victims – you must move on and leave your brutalizers in the dust – actually federal prison
Here is an U.P. Breaking News Editorial followed by news stories.
We dedicate both to our late, dear friend Tillie Black Bear – who was once a lone voice in the wilderness exposing tribal domestic violence. A Lakota, Tillie was also abused by the criminal justice system, fellow tribes people, and finally some of her co-workers.
(Marquette, MI) – Upper Peninsula Breaking News believes that if you physically attack your spouse that results in injury – then you should go to prison. Period.
That’s a lot easier on the domestic assault offender than the death punishment, that our friend Tillie Black Bear spoke of in Lakota custom.
It’s sad that federal prosecutors have to wait until the evil-minded suspects has racked up three other domestic violence-related convictions in tribal court or state courts.
A real man doesn’t put his hands on a woman with intent to injure. Then these batterers get all wimpy and try to play court jester around the U.S. Marshals that ship them off to federal prison that has no parole.
One Keweenaw Bay Indian Community batter was recently sent prison for choking his spouse and he blamed alcohol for the violence saying he was a mean drunk during a conversation with U.P. Breaking News – and then repeated that in court – noting the federal bust experience changed his life and he is now helping others and staying sober. He said drinking was no excuse for his violent crimes.
The tiny victim stood at his side and said she still supports and forgives him – but he has to stay away from booze.
First we look at the laws that have allowed this federal crackdown on tribal habitual domestic violence.
Feds Demand Domestic Violence Will End in Tribal Households across northern Michigan – or the FBI is coming to get you
Violence Against Indian Women
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation that sought to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States.
The passage of VAWA in 1994 and its re-authorization in 2000 has changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence.
Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking have been able to access services, and a new generation of families and justice system professionals have come to understand that domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking are crimes that our society will not tolerate.
Federal Prosecutor Hannah Bobee Takes on the Bad Boys of the Tribes – and They Lose
Also Feds are cracking down on pervs who hurt children in ways that are sickening
Kicking the Batterers’ Butts to the Pen – The Big House – To meet their friendly shower-mate Bubba
(Marquette, MI) – A Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) man recently pleaded guilty to being a domestic violence habitual offender in a violent attack on his spouse involving putting his hands around her throat in an attempted strangulation.
Under the plea agreement with Glenn Daniel Tolonen, Sr., a KBIC fisherman, a second charge of assault by strangulation was dropped. Meanwhile, an Isabella Indian Reservation man in central Michigan was recently sent to federal prison for his violent attacks on females.
After hearing his defense attorney extol the good sides of Mr. Tolonen, the prosecutor said don’t be fooled because Tolonen is a manipulator.
Mr. Tolonen “is a batterer and this is how he manipulates victims,” said prosecutor Bobee.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee of Marquette is throwing tribal domestic batterers into federal prison. because if you have three tribal or state court domestic violence-related convictions – the fourth time the FBI is coming.
Bobee said the public must realize that women are being seriously hurt and even murdered – and the Tolonen case is serious because of “the gravity of this type strangulation” that could have led to death.
A federal judge said tribal batterer’s better take the domestic violence crackdown seriously. In other words, the government isn’t playing.
Mr. Glenn Tolonen, Sr. “is a batterer and this is how he manipulates victims,” said federal prosecutor Hannah Bobee.
Photo of now-retired Federal Judge R. Allan Edgar by David Laprad, Hamilton County Herald
“The federal government is prosecuting these cases – its meaningful,” said federal judge R. Allan Edgar during his final handful of sentencings before retiring after 20 years on the bench.
Judge Edgar was not pleased with Tolonen’s four domestic violence convictions and said Tolonen “obviously has not respected the law and the victims” adding that prison time for many may be a “deterrent.”
The judge said by giving prison terms family batterer’s will get a clue because “hopefully consequences will make them (batterers) think twice about doing it,” the Judge said.
“The federal government is prosecuting these cases – its meaningful,” said federal judge R. Allan Edgar during his final handful of sentencings before retiring after 20 years on the bench. “Hopefully (the) consequences will make (batterers) think twice about doing it.”
Tolonen received two-and-a-half years (30 months) in federal prison from U.S. District Court Judge R. Allan Edgar last Wednesday, June 22, 2016 – who held his final day of sentencings before retiring after nearly three decades on the bench and legal work. Following his release, Tolonen will be on two years supervised release.
Tolonen has been receiving alcohol treatment at the Phoenix House in Calumet and “there is a spiritual component,” said Assistant U.S. Public Defender Elizabeth A. LaCosse, adding that the treatment has made a “profound difference” in his life.
Mr. Tolonen is “very remorseful for his actions,” LaCosse said. Tolonen “hurts deeply in his soul.” for attacking his female companion.
While Tolonen is making no excuses for his crime, LaCosse said alcohol has always been “a precursor” to violent behavior. The alcohol “allows demons that would hit a woman or a girl,” LaCosse said.
Tolonen’s alcohol and domestic violence go “hand-in-hand”but she acknowledged he has been in an out of treatment that never sticks – until now. LaCosse said since his arrest by the feds her client has “helped people get into treatment – and helps the elderly a lot.”
LaCosse asked the judge to allow Tolonen to “self report” and reminded the court Tolonen is a “commercial fisherman” who will likely lose his job. However Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee would have none of that – saying the attack was “a violent offense” and he should be “taken into custody.”
By Susan Field, Mt. Pleasant News
Meanwhile, sentencing was held on April 11, 2016 in federal court for the Eastern District of Michigan at Bay City, MI for Sean Michael Wilson of the AnishinaabeIsabella Indian Reservation located in the heart of the Lower Peninsula.
Wilson pleaded guilty to habitual offender domestic violence and was sentenced to just over three years or 37 months in federal prison .
Wilson has three previous domestic violence related convictions including a felony weapons conviction of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon in Isabella County Circuit Court, domestic violence in Isabella County District Court and family violence in Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Court dating back 15 years involving a spouse.
Starting in 1988, court records show Wilson also has a long history of other crimes including resisting arrest, animal cruelty, drinking alcohol on a roadway, driving with no license, drunken driving and possession of pot.
Stats, Info and the Fight Against Tribal Domestic Violence:
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Tribal Domestic Violence studies, information and help:
Tribal Court Clearinghouse, A Project of the Tribal Law and Policy Institute:
Violence Against Indian Women
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is a landmark piece of legislation that sought to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the United States.
The passage of The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 1994 and its re-authorization in 2000 has changed the landscape for victims who once suffered in silence.
Victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking have been able to access services, and a new generation of families and justice system professionals have come to understand that domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking are crimes that our society will not tolerate.
A Guide to Understanding the Requirements of Purpose Area #5 Violence Against Women Tribal (OVW) Tribal Governments Program) Fiscal Year 2016 Coordinated Tribal Assistance
Contact Info: Call The Office on Violence Against Women Tribal Affairs Division at 202-307-6026.
Fiscal Year 2016 Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation.
Copy of the official solicitation may be obtained at:
At Last, Violence Against Women Act Lets Tribes Prosecute Non-Native Domestic Abusers: 3/6/2015 by Jennifer Bendery White House and congressional reporter, The Huffington Post
October 6th. 2015 panel presentation on Implementing VAWA 2013: Special Domestic Violence Criminal Jurisdiction
The U. S. Department of Justice held a Domestic Violence Awareness Month event on October 6, 2015 which featured a panel discussion with representatives from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.
On March 7, 2013, President Obama signed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA 2013) into law.
Patrick A. Miles, United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, headquarter in Grand Rapids, MI – where there are numerous violent cases involving automatic weapons, machine guns and more.
Federal Prosecutors in Marquette, MI: Asst. U.S. Attorney Hannah Bobee, left, and Asst. U.S. Attorney Paul Lochner, right.
Federal Prosecutors in Marquette have the go ahead to put habitual tribal domestic violence offenders in prison from Michigan Western District U.S. Attorney General Patrick A. Miles.
Pictured above are, from left, are Miles, and Marquette Asst. U.S. Attorneys Hannah Bobee and Paul Lochner They are not putting up with habitual offenders who regularly beat, strangle and seriously hurt their partner or others on tribal lands
Cracking Down of Tribal Domestic Violence
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Patrick Miles, Jr. was nominated by President Barack Obama on March 29, 2012 to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 29, 2012 and assumed office on July 9, 2012.
Offices of the United States Attorney (federal prosecutor) for the Western District of Michigan
A Marquette native, Edgar spent most of his career in Tennessee, first an attorney and then elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives. President Ronald Reagan appointed Edgar as a U.S. District judge in 1985.
His parents me at the Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Big Bay, MI.
Until age 13, Edgar lived as a child on West Magnetic Street in Marquette, MI
The family moved in 1953 when his his father got job in Tennessee.
The future Judge Edgar still spent summers in the U.P. with his grandparents and worked a summer job out at the exclusive Huron Mountain Club in Big Bay, MI.
Photo of Judge R. Allan Edgar by David Laprad, Hamilton County Herald
After hearing his defense attorney extol the good sides of Mr. Tolonen, the prosecutor said don’t be fooled because Tolonen is a manipulator.
Mr. Tolonen is “very remorseful for his actions,” LaCosse said. Tolonen “hurts deeply in his soul.” for attacking his female companion.
Tolonen’s alcohol and domestic violence go “hand-in-hand”but she acknowledged he has been in an out of treatment that never sticks – until now. LaCosse said since his arrest by the feds her client has “helped people get into treatment – and helps the elderly a lot.”
Upper Peninsula Breaking News by Greg Peterson 