An Albuquerque man has been sentenced to 102 months in prison for a violent confrontation that nearly turned fatal. Robert Abeyta, 51, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Ohkay Owingeh, was convicted for shooting John Doe multiple times and leaving him seriously injured.

According to court documents, Abeyta went to Doe's residence on the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo armed with a loaded pistol. A struggle ensued when Doe, who has law enforcement experience, attempted to disarm Abeyta. During the altercation, Abeyta shot Doe multiple times in the head, neck, and shoulder.

Witnesses reported that after the shooting, Abeyta continued to assault Doe until neighbors intervened. They managed to disarm and restrain Abeyta until law enforcement arrived. At the time of the incident, Doe's girlfriend and young child were inside the home and witnessed its immediate aftermath.

Upon release from prison, Abeyta will face three years of supervised release. "There is no parole in the federal system," stated U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez during his announcement.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from both the Ohkay Owingeh Police Department and Santa Clara Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meg Tomlinson is prosecuting the case.