Man arraigned in killing on reservation
Just hours after a 20-year-old homicide victim was buried Wednesday on the Spokane Indian Reservation, authorities arraigned a 23-year-old suspect in U.S. District Court in Spokane on a federal murder charge.
Joey Jake Moses was arrested by FBI and Bureau and Indian Affairs agents Tuesday evening in connection with the shooting death of Gary R. Flett Jr., authorities said.
Moses is charged with second-degree murder in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Spokane. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.
Flett was shot to death June 1 in a residence on the reservation in Stevens County in northeastern Washington, about 30 miles northwest of Spokane.
Because the crime occurred on a federal reservation, the investigation was assigned to the FBI and BIA.
Flett was buried Wednesday at the Little Nespelem Cemetery on the reservation after a funeral service at the Spokane Tribal Longhouse.
Details of the shooting death were outlined in an affidavit by FBI agent Stanley Meador, but the document was sealed from public inspection by U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Imbrogno.
Authorities wouldn’t comment on initial reports suggesting the killing was drug-related.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Kimbell sought sealing of the affidavit because the case remains under investigation. He declined comment when asked if another suspect may be arrested or how Moses was identified.
Another source familiar with the case said Flett was shot “execution-style” by a gunman who emptied a clip of ammunition in shooting the victim in a residence.
During the brief court appearance, Moses, claiming he is indigent, requested and was given a federal defender to represent him on the murder charge. He also asked that the formal charges be read to him, and the judge did.
She ordered him held in jail without bond until a detention hearing is held next week.
“Do you have any questions about what I just said?” Imbrogno asked the defendant.
“No, no I don’t,” the slightly built suspect responded.