SPOKANE, WA — A Toppenish woman has been sentenced to five years of federal probation after admitting to aiding and abetting an assault involving a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
On September 15, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Mary K. Dimke handed down the sentence to Kathleen Ardith Albert, an enrolled member of the Confederated Bands and Tribes of the Yakama Nation.
Court records show the incident began on May 16, 2024, when co-defendant Nora Saluskin-Cloud rented a room at the El Corral Motel in Toppenish, a location long known to law enforcement for high levels of criminal activity. During the encounter, Albert purchased drugs from Saluskin-Cloud and was handed a firearm before entering the motel room with her.
Inside, Saluskin-Cloud reportedly picked up a machete and threatened multiple people inside the room. Prosecutors said Albert blocked the victims’ exit while armed and under the influence of drugs. Two victims were able to escape through a window and contact police.
Saluskin-Cloud remains in state custody on an unrelated case.
“This was clearly a traumatic and dangerous situation for all of these victims, who were trapped in a room without their consent with someone who was armed and potentially volatile from drug use,” said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “It is fortunate no one was injured and at least the victims were able to escape. Together with our partners, FBI Seattle is committed to combating violent crime on tribal lands and throughout Washington state”.
U.S. Attorney Pete Serrano also praised the victims’ actions, stating, “I commend the courage of the victims of this crime who escaped from the room where they were held against their will by a person who was under the influence of drugs while possessing a firearm. I hope that today’s sentence is sufficient to send the message that the Defendant’s misconduct cannot be tolerated in a free and open society.”
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bree Black Horse.
