08/01/05
Umatilla
Man Indicted for Involuntary Manslaughter
PORTLAND, OREGON – Karin J. Immergut, the United States Attorney
for the District of Oregon, and Special Agent in Charge Robert Jordan,
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today the indictment
of Cecil Wesley Tias, on one count of Involuntary Manslaughter.
The indicted offense
involved a one-car vehicular accident on May 29, 2005. Tias was driving
a vehicle along Sumac Road on the Umatilla Indian Reservation when the
vehicle left the road and crashed. A passenger, Lillian Van Pelt, died
at the scene during the crash. The indictment alleges that Tias was
operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Agencies
involved in the investigation included the Umatilla Tribal Police Department,
the Oregon State Police, and the FBI.
Involuntary manslaughter
carries a maximum penalty of not more than six years imprisonment, restitution,
and a $250,000 fine.
A criminal indictment
is only an allegation and not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed
to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.
For further information,
contact Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Williams at 503-727-1108.
