A man from Ramah, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to firing multiple rifle shots into a vehicle occupied by three people following a near-collision incident.
Court documents state that on March 18, 2025, John Doe was driving when he swerved to avoid colliding with a blue Jeep driven by Leon Garcia, age 42, who is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. After this near-miss, John Doe followed Garcia to a residence located on the Ramah Navajo Reservation in Cibola County. Once both vehicles stopped, Garcia exited his Jeep carrying a rifle. He then brandished and pointed the firearm at John Doe and two passengers—Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2—and fired several shots into their vehicle with intent to cause harm. As the victims tried to turn around and drive away, Garcia continued shooting.
Garcia entered a guilty plea for three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon as well as one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He faces a minimum sentence of seven years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment. Upon release from prison, he will be subject to five years of supervised release.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today."
The case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with support from the Ramah-Navajo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting.
