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AIRWAY HEIGHTS – Bryan Wokal, 61, of Spokane, was sentenced to six years in prison on one count of robbery affecting commerce for robbing the Kalispel Market in Airway Heights.
According to a news release from Vanessa R.
Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian imposed a sentence of 72 months in federal prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information disclosed at sentencing, on Jan. 2, 2024, Wokal walked into the Kalispel Market on the Kalispel Indian Reservation in Airway Heights.
Wokal approached the cashier, pulled out a gun, pointed it at the cashier, and demanded $400.
When the cashier did not immediately respond, Wokal cocked the gun and repeated his demand.
The cashier removed the money from the cash register and gave it to Wokal. Wokal then left the market. The next day, Wokal was arrested by the Spokane Police Department.
“Mr. Wokal’s armed robbery put employees and shoppers in grave danger and left the cashier with lasting trauma,” Waldref said in a new release. “I am grateful for the quick work of the FBI, Kalispel Tribal Police, Spokane Police Department and Spokane Sheriff’s Office to identify Mr. Wokal and ensure he would be held accountable for the danger and harm he caused to the Kalispel Tribal Community.”
The Kalispel Tribal Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community, Kalispel Tribal Police Chief Rodney Schurger said.
“By working closely with the FBI, Spokane Police Department, and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, we are combining resources and expertise to bring criminals to justice more swiftly and effectively.”
Kalispel Tribal Council Vice Chair Curt Holmes said the safety and security of guests, tribal members and workers is the tribe’s No. 1 priority.
The tribe operates Norther Quest Resort and Casino, as well as two markets in Airway Heights.
“We are grateful for the quick efforts of our Kalispel Tribal Police Department, as well as the assistance of the FBI, Spokane Police Department and the Spokane Sheriff’s Office in making this arrest,” Holmes said in the written statement.
“We also appreciate the diligent work of the US Attorney’s Office in prosecuting offenders like Mr.
Wokal to the fullest extent of the law,” Holmes said.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community- based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.
This case was investigated by the FBI, Kalispel Tribal Police, Spokane Police Department, and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Ellis and Nowles Heinrich.
