Nisqually Indian Tribe member accused of sexual abuse of minors released from federal custody

Marcus Jerome Douglas, a member of the Nisqually Indian Tribe, was released from custody Tuesday, May 13, during a federal detention hearing in Tacoma.
According to the appearance bond, Douglas must appear in court on Monday, Dec. 1, at 9:30 a.m. and at all other hearings in the case, including turning himself in for a sentence, should that occasion arise.

Failure to appear in court would be punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

Douglas has been charged with aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact. Because Douglas is a tribal member, and the abuse occurred in residences on tribal land, the federal court has jurisdiction in the case.

Douglas was previously arrested on a criminal complaint on Jan. 31, 2024. According to case records, three victims disclosed sexual abuse by Douglas, with some of the victims reporting long-time abuse from a very young age.
Sexual abuse of a minor is punishable by a mandatory minimum 30 years in prison to life in prison.

As part of the release conditions, Douglas must not travel outside the continental United States and must “submit to drug and alcohol testing, to include urinalysis, breathalyzer or hand-held testing devices, as directed by Pretrial Services.”

Additionally, Douglas must “not use, consume or possess alcohol, any product containing alcohol, or other intoxicants, including medication,” unless prescribed by a physician under the direction of Pretrial Services.

Douglas must also participate in a program for treatment of narcotic addiction, drug dependency or substance abuse, and must contribute toward the costs of the services required by the bond.

As dictated under the Adam Walsh Act, Douglas must not have any contact with alleged victims and potential witnesses, and cannot have contact with any person under the age of 18 without the permission of the Pretrial Services Office.

In a response to the supplemental motion of release, dated May 12 and signed by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Gregson, government attorneys said that “Douglas’ decades long sexualized interest in minors coupled with his historical use of devices to access, view and attempt to surreptitiously produce pornography provide an ample basis for the Court to impose two standard conditions for individuals charged with sexual crimes of violence against children like Douglas.”

The document concluded that “Douglas poses an incalculable risk to the community and release should be detained.”