One of Alaska’s National Guard’s most senior officers was detained this week in Anchorage and was charged with assault in a domestic setting twice in November.
Wayne Don was promoted in 2021 to brigadier general of the Alaska National Guard and was in charge of the joint staff of the Guard. The Guard made it clear the fact that he had been promoted to the highest-ranking Alaska Native member serving at the time.
On November 1, Anchorage officers responded reports of domestic violence in the house of Don’s wife. According to a charge sheet the wife of Don’s told police that they had fought, he was drinking, and that he had grabbed her hair and wrist. Police spotted the bloody marks on her wrist. Police also discovered holes in a wall, and the bedroom door and smelled alcohol around the suspect. Police detained Don and charged him with misdemeanor attack for domestic violence, and a misdemeanor charge of property damage.
The parties in April came to an agreement. If Don agreed to not contest the charge of property damage the prosecutors would eliminate the assault on a domestic partner charge. Don will also be required to stay away from contact with his wife, stop drinking alcohol for a period of six months, adhere to a treatment program and attend monthly counseling sessions and stay clear of any related criminal proceedings. If the trial had been smooth the defendant would have received a sentence in the month of October.
The process didn’t go as planned. On Sunday, police detained Don at the house of his wife. According to the charges in that incident Don was drinking, as well and assaulted wife a second time. He is accused of domestic violence assault and breaking the conditions of release.
The police are charged because Don threatened to kill himself and was blaming his wife “for the loss of a job.”
Criminal convictions for civil crimes can result in military personnel losing their jobs..
Alaska National Guard spokesman Alan Brown confirmed in an email Don has been removed of authority and placed on administrative status again in November, pending the resolution of the initial allegations. Brown added that the Guard cooperates in a joint effort with the civilian government.
As Director of the Joint Staff of the Alaska National Guard, he was responsible for communicating in coordination and communication between the commander of the Alaska National Guard and staff as well as units from the Air and Army National Guard. The joint staff plan and coordinates the response effort during emergencies in the state and also during Joint military missions.
Brown stated that an investigation is currently underway in the military. The deputy chief of staff for the Army is in charge of managing the investigation.
“We require all members from the Alaska National Guard to live in accordance with the highest standards for military conduct,” Brown wrote. “We will immediately take appropriate action in the event that one member of our guards is suspect of being involved in the crime of committing, while also protecting the right of due process.”
The attorney for Don’s client could not be reached on Wednesday for comment. Online records indicate that Don put up a $300 bond Wednesday but is not in custody.
Don 51-year-old Don started his career in the army in 1994. His assignments included missions that took place in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Mongolia. He was the chairperson of the region’s Calista Corp. board. He’s also named chair of the NIMA Corp. board. NIMA Corp., the village corporation of Nunivak Island, where he was born and raised. He’s been awarded a number of honors for leadership.
Don was also an invited keynote presenter during the Alaska Federation of Natives’ 2017 Convention.
If you’re having a crisis, you can contact or text 9-8-8 to a representative at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
