SPOKANE, WA — A Davenport woman has been sentenced to federal prison after being convicted of stealing more than $100,000 from a Spokane Tribe child welfare program, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington.
Tawhnee Willow Colvin was sentenced on Jan. 21, 2026, to one year and one day in prison following her conviction on 26 counts of bank fraud and embezzlement from a tribal organization. U.S. District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell also ordered Colvin to serve five years of supervised release and to pay $100,830 in restitution to the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
Colvin was convicted by a jury in September 2025. Court records show she was employed as assistant director of the Spokane Tribe’s Division of Child and Family Services, where she had access to a bank account holding per capita funds intended for children in temporary tribal custody.
Between October 2019 and November 2023, prosecutors said Colvin carried out more than 70 unauthorized transfers from the account to her personal bank account, beginning with smaller amounts before escalating to transfers totaling more than $50,000. She also withdrew more than $50,000 in cash from the same account. Authorities said Colvin continued transferring funds even after she was terminated from her position in October 2023.
During sentencing, Judge Pennell cited overwhelming evidence of guilt, noting the funds were intended to support children in foster care but were instead taken for personal use.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
