A federal grand jury has indicted Chevel Cottonwood, a 34-year-old man from San Juan County, on charges of second-degree murder following an alleged shooting incident in San Juan County, Utah. The indictment follows a complaint filed on June 11, 2025.
Court documents indicate that the Navajo Police Department responded to a 911 call on June 10, reporting gunfire near the Hovenweep area north of Aneth, Utah. Officers arrived at a residence within the Navajo Nation and spoke with a woman present during the shooting. She reported hearing gunshots and witnessed an argument between Cottonwood and the victim before another shot was fired.
Officers discovered the victim deceased inside the residence with a gunshot wound and an empty shell casing nearby. Cottonwood was found hiding in bushes close to the scene with ammunition in his possession. A search led to the seizure of a 9mm pistol and shell casings. Bullet holes were observed in the house's roof.
Cottonwood faces charges of second-degree murder within Indian Country and possession of a firearm as a restricted person. His initial court appearance is scheduled for June 26, 2025, at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in Salt Lake City.
Acting United States Attorney Felice John Viti announced the indictment. The investigation is being conducted by both the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations and FBI agents from Monticello.
The prosecution team includes Assistant United States Attorneys Sam Pead and Tanner Zumwalt from Utah's U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime through resources from various Department of Justice initiatives.
An indictment is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
