Three men from Pinehill, New Mexico, have been charged by federal authorities in connection with a violent assault that left one person dead and another seriously injured. According to court records, the incident occurred on January 5, 2026, at a residence in Pinehill.
The defendants—Sullivan Jake Jr., 25; Braxton Jake, 18; and Juanillo Lee Jake, 23—are brothers and enrolled members of the Ramah-Navajo Indian Tribe. They allegedly arrived together at the residence in a blue truck and assaulted two individuals identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2. The attack involved wooden sticks, metal poles, rocks, and other blunt objects.
John Doe 1 was pronounced dead at the scene. When John Doe 2 attempted to intervene during the assault, he was also attacked by the defendants. As a result of the incident, John Doe 2 suffered serious injuries including a broken arm, severe head and facial trauma, partial loss of an ear, and bleeding in the brain. He was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center for treatment.
The three men face charges of second degree murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. They are currently being held in third party custody pending trial. If convicted on all counts, they could face up to life imprisonment.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: "First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today."
The case is being investigated by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Ramah-Navajo Police Department. Prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal.
Authorities remind that an indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation: "An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
