Waneka Rosebud Cornpeach, a 40-year-old Ute Fish and Wildlife officer from Fort Duchesne, Utah, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Utah on charges related to a shooting incident that occurred on tribal land in Uinta Canyon in July 2022. The indictment includes four counts: two for assault with a dangerous weapon and two for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, all alleged to have taken place within Indian Country.
According to the indictment, Cornpeach allegedly fired her weapon at two individuals on or about July 17, 2022. The incident resulted in serious injuries to the victims. She faces charges under federal statutes governing crimes committed within Indian Country.
Cornpeach made her initial court appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Daphne A. Oberg on November 30, 2023.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office. Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Churnet from the District of Colorado is prosecuting the case in the United States District Court for the District of Utah.
Authorities emphasized that “the charges in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
