SPOKANE – A Nespelem man found guilty of the second degree murder of a fellow member of the Colville Confederated Tribes has been sent to prison.

Michael C. Ormsby, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Ryan Seideman, 24, of Nespelem, was sentenced to 327 months in prison for second degree murder. He was also ordered to serve five years of court supervision after he is released from prison.

After a jury trial on Dec. 7, 2010, Seideman was found guilty of the murder of Lillian Jolene Lee who was then age 46. Lee’s body was found at her residence on March 20, 2006. She was a victim of sharp force homicidal violence. The lengthy investigation culminated in the identification of the defendant through DNA evidence, according to Ormsby.

“I hope the victim’s family finds some solace in the resolution of this case. The defendant has now been held accountable for his senseless and violent acts. This office is committed to prosecuting major crimes on Indian reservations and ensuring that violent offenders are brought to justice,” said U.S. Attorney Ormsby.

This investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colville Tribal Police. This case was prosecuted by Jill Bolton, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington