A man who constructed a false identity as a Native American activist has been sentenced to 46 years in prison for a series of horrific crimes involving the drugging and rape of multiple women. The case of Redwolf Pope has sparked a significant campaign to reform legal procedures in Washington state, specifically to prevent defendants representing themselves from directly questioning their accusers.
A Trail of Evidence and Deception
Redwolf Pope, 49, was arrested in 2018 after guests at his Seattle apartment handed over disturbing video evidence to the police. The footage, taken from his iPad, showed him sexually assaulting several women who appeared to be unconscious. Further investigation uncovered a secret camera installed in his bathroom, which had recorded women showering without their knowledge.
One survivor, who played a pivotal role in discovering the hidden cameras and video evidence, stated in a news release: “I’ve had the horror of witnessing the scale of violence Pope inflicted on multiple women over many years. It will never leave me.”
Pope, who maintained residences in both Seattle and Santa Fe, New Mexico, was first convicted by a Santa Fe jury in 2020 on charges of rape and voyeurism related to a 2016 incident. He received a four-year sentence, with credit for time served, but maintained the encounter was consensual.
Extradition, Trial, and a Call for Legal Change
Upon his release, Pope was extradited to Washington state to face charges for attacks that occurred in 2016 and 2017. He pleaded not guilty and chose to represent himself during his trial in September 2025. This decision allowed him to personally cross-examine one of his victims over several days. The jury found him guilty on 3 September 2025.
This aspect of the trial has become a focal point for survivors and advocates. They are now urging the Washington State Legislature to amend the law, calling for updates to the Crime Victim Bill of Rights. Their goal is to provide an alternative to direct cross-examination by a self-represented defendant, such as allowing a court-appointed designee to question the accuser.
A Fabricated Identity Unravels
Pope had presented himself as an attorney and activist of Western Shoshone and Tlingit heritage, even appearing as a spokesperson for the Seattle-based United Indians of All Tribes Foundation. His LinkedIn profile listed over a decade of work for the Tulalip Tribal Court.
However, this persona crumbled after his arrest. The Washington State Bar Association confirmed he was not a licensed attorney, and the Tulalip Tribes stated he never worked for them as a lawyer. Furthermore, several Tlingit and Shoshone tribes said they found no record of his enrollment.
Abigail Echo-Hawk, a leading advocate for Native women’s rights, condemned Pope's actions, stating he created a “false identity and posed as a Native man to infiltrate Native communities and prey upon our Indigenous women.” She added that he “was allowed to take advantage of our legal system and continue to traumatize his victims for years after” his initial crimes.
Judge Tanya L. Thorp handed down the 46-year sentence in King County Superior Court on 7 January 2026, finally holding Pope accountable for the profound harm he inflicted.
