ALBUQUERQUE - Lisa Benally, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Fort Defiance, Ariz., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for her conviction on federal firearms and burglary charges.
Benally and co-defendant Loren Lloyd Wauneka, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Window Rock, Ariz., were arrested on Jan. 29, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging them with being felons in possession of firearms and burglary on the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, a law enforcement officer encountered Wauneka, Benally and others as they were attempting to burglarize the officer’s residence on the Navajo Indian Reservation. A television, jewelry, bags, computer laptops and two firearms belonging to the officer were seized from inside Wauneka and Benally’s vehicle pursuant to a search warrant.
Benally and Wauneka subsequently were indicted on Feb. 24, 2016, and charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of stolen firearms and aggravated burglary on Dec. 1, 2015, in McKinley County. According to the indictment, Wauneka was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously was convicted of unlawful discharge of a firearm and aggravated driving while intoxicated. Benally was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because she previously had been convicted of escape, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of dangerous drugs.
On March 27, 2017, Benally pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and aggravated burglary. In entering the guilty plea, Benally admitted that on Dec. 1, 2015, she and others drove to and unlawfully entered a residence with the intent to commit theft and stole two firearms and ammunition, which Benally placed into her vehicle, thus making Benally armed during the burglary. Benally further admitted that she was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of her status as a convicted felon.
On March 23, 2017, Wauneka pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and aggravated burglary. In entering the guilty plea, Wauneka admitted that on Dec. 1, 2015, he entered a residence with the intent to commit theft and stole two firearms and ammunition which he placed into his vehicle, thus making Wauneka armed during the burglary. Wauneka further admitted that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon. Wauneka was sentenced on Aug. 10, 2017, to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
