Lummi Nation member who assaulted ex-partner arraigned in federal court
A member of the Lummi Nation was arraigned in in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Tuesday on charges related to the assault of an ex-partner.
Prosecutors say Marc Cagey Oreiro, 48, assaulted and strangled his former romantic partner May 23. According to court records, Oreiro lived in the woman’s garage and confronted her that day in her bedroom. He pushed her onto the bed and hit and strangled her, court documents state. He also attempted to sexually assault her and threatened to kill her.
The woman’s roommate heard her scream and called 911, according to court records. Lummi Nation Police Department officers found Oreiro in the bedroom, and he actively resisted arrest, even scratching an officer.
The woman, who was found in a closet that Oreiro told her to hide in, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment. She told a forensic nurse that Oreiro was upset that she didn’t come home the previous night, according to court records. Oreiro told police that he and the woman “had a disagreement about life” and said nothing physical happened.
Oreiro was charged in tribal court in 2019 and 2023 for assaulting the same woman. He was convicted in the 2023 case of assault and battery in the third degree and malicious mischief, and a no-contact order was put in place through Dec. 3, 2025. He was in violation of the order at the time of the incident.
Oreiro was indicted by a grand jury June 25. His trial is scheduled in district court on Aug. 25. If convicted, Oreiro faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.