ALBUQUERQUE - Patrick Begay, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Ramah, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to assault charges.
Begay was arrested on Jan. 23, 2018, on a three-count indictment charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon, a baseball bat, with intent to do bodily harm; assault with a dangerous weapon, a knife, with intent to do bodily harm; and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. According to the indictment, Begay committed the offenses on May 12, 2017, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Cibola County, N.M.
During today’s hearing, Begay pled guilty to the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement. At sentencing, Begay faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Spindle is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
