A Lummi tribal member who molested two children over a period of two years was sentenced to 14 years in prison Wednesday, Feb. 13, in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

David Allen James, 42, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual abuse against two children younger than 10, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Child Protective Services began investigating James in May 2012, after one of the children told a parent about the sexual abuse. James admitted that he engaged in multiple sex acts with the children between April 2010 and April 2012, according to court records.

James told the court that he planned on using his time behind bars to get help understanding why he molested the children. James had worked as a gaming agent and a natural resources officer for the tribe before his arrest.

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