A Zuni man was sentenced on Mar. 25 to 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to firearms offenses related to shooting a shotgun at an occupied vehicle outside a home on the Zuni Pueblo.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about violent crime involving firearms in tribal communities and the federal response to such incidents.
According to court documents, Cody Laweka, age 35 and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, drove with another person to a residence on Feb. 2, 2025. During the trip, Laweka asked for use of a shotgun that was in the truck bed. Upon arrival at the home, he exited with the shotgun and fired at least two shots at a car occupied by John Doe. No one was injured by these gunshots. Afterward, Laweka left with his companion.
Federal Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to apprehend Laweka the following day at another residence in Zuni. He fled upon seeing officers but was later captured. In an interview afterward, Laweka admitted firing at the car and discarding the shotgun along a highway; police searched but did not recover it.
At the time of this incident, Laweka was already under supervised release for a prior federal offense. He pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon as well as using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence.
The court recommended that Laweka complete participation in the Residential Drug Abuse Program while incarcerated and ordered three years of supervised release following his sentence.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made this announcement jointly today.
