FEDERAL INDICTMENT FILED IN WINDOW ROCK KNIFE ASSAULT CASE

A federal grand jury in the District of New Mexico has returned an indictment charging a Window Rock man with violent assault offenses stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred within Indian Country in McKinley County.

Jacoby Edo Begay, 20, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The indictment alleges that on or about June 17, 2025, Begay assaulted an individual identified as John Doe with a knife, and that the attack resulted in serious bodily injury.

The charges are brought under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 and 113(a)(3) and (a)(6), federal statutes governing certain violent crimes committed in Indian Country. Under the Major Crimes Act, specified felony offenses involving Native American defendants and occurring within Indian Country fall under federal jurisdiction. Assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury are among those enumerated offenses.

Assault with a dangerous weapon under § 113(a)(3) requires proof of intent to cause bodily harm using an instrument capable of inflicting serious injury. Assault resulting in serious bodily injury under § 113(a)(6) requires evidence that the victim sustained significant physical harm, potentially involving substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, protracted impairment, or other severe injury as defined by federal statute.

If convicted, Begay faces a maximum penalty of up to ten years in federal prison. Sentencing in federal court is determined under the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account factors including the severity of injury, use of a weapon, criminal history category, and acceptance of responsibility. A term of supervised release and financial penalties may also be imposed.

The case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Amy Mondragon.

An indictment is a formal allegation issued by a grand jury. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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United States v. Jacoby Edo Begay — Federal Indictment (D. New Mexico, Jan. 6, 2026)

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