A Shiprock woman was charged on July 31 with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly striking a victim with a metal pipe during an altercation.
According to court documents, law enforcement responded to a reported assault at a residence on July 28 after a victim was transported to the hospital with serious head injuries. Witnesses said that following an argument among several individuals who had been drinking alcohol, Desirae Smith, 26, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a metal pipe, including blows to the head and arm. Witnesses also said Smith attempted to drop a rock on the victim’s head after she fell and slammed her head against a truck. One witness told investigators he observed the victim bleeding from a large head wound after hearing another individual ask Smith why she was hitting the victim with a pole. Responding officers recovered what appeared to be a bloodied metal pipe at the scene.
Medical records indicated that the victim suffered two large lacerations to the top of her head requiring approximately nine staples.
During her post-arrest interview, Smith denied striking the victim with any pipe and claimed that injuries resulted from falling and hitting a truck during the altercation.
Smith is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. She will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of these charges, Smith faces up to 10 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced these charges. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case along with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.