United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced a federal indictment charging ADRIAN JOSEPH VALDEZ, 33, with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury.[1] VALDEZ was previously charged via federal compliant on Oct. 18, 2018. He made his initial appearance before Magistrate Judge Jon T. Huseby in U.S. District Court on Oct. 24, 2018.
According to documents filed with the court, including a law enforcement affidavit, on Aug. 10, 2018, law enforcement responded to a call from a female who reported an ongoing incident at a residence on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. Responding officers found a man, who later identified himself as ADRIAN JOSEPH VALDEZ, walking down the driveway. VALDEZ, who had blood on his arm, stated, “I stabbed them, handcuff me and take me to jail! I’m a bad guy, take me to jail." VALDEZ was taken into custody at the Red Lake Detention Center.
According to documents filed with the court, including a law enforcement affidavit, responding officers found two stabbing victims at the residence who were taken to the hospital. Witnesses reported that after drinking alcohol together, a disagreement turned into a physical fight, and VALDEZ began stabbing one of the victims. A second man who attempted to break up the fight also was stabbed by VALDEZ.
During a post-Miranda interview, VALDEZ admitted to getting into a fight and subsequently stabbing the two identified victims. VALDEZ is a member of the Tohono O’Odham Nation tribe located in Southwestern Arizona.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Red Lake Department of Public Safety and the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.
Defendant Information:
ADRIAN JOSEPH VALDEZ, 33
Tohono O’Odham Nation, Ariz.
Charges:
* Assault with a dangerous weapon, 2 counts
* Assault resulting in serious bodily injury, 2 counts
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
