Former tribal police chief convicted of sexually abusing young children

A 69-year-old member of the Lower Elwha S'Klallam Tribe was convicted Friday of nine federal counts related to the sexual abuse of minors, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney Nick Brown.

A jury convicted Joseph Anthony Turrey of Port Angeles, Washington, following a seven-day trial. The jury deliberated for about two days before returning the guilty verdicts.

Turrey, a former Lower Elwha S'Klallam tribal councilmember and police chief, was remanded to federal custody to await sentencing, which is scheduled for June 5.

According to records filed in the case, three victims reported that they were abused by Turrey between 2008 and 2016. Two of the victims were as young as 6 and 7 years old when the sexual abuse began.

The assaults occurred on tribal land, which triggered federal jurisdiction over the case.

Turrey was convicted of six counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor, two counts of sexual abuse of a minor, and one count of abusive sexual contact. The aggravated sexual abuse charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 years and a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sexual abuse of a minor also has a maximum sentence of life in prison. The final count, abusive sexual contact, is punishable by up to 15 years behind bars.

The FBI teamed up with the Lower Elwha S'Klallam Police Department to investigate the case, with assistance from the National Park Service.