A Zuni man has been charged in federal court in connection with the stabbing of two individuals, according to an Aug. 3 announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Court documents state that on July 24, 2026, Roger Pino, 44, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, allegedly confronted two people outside a residence in Zuni, New Mexico. Pino was reportedly armed with a knife and demanded the return of his property. During this confrontation, he allegedly cut one victim before stabbing a second victim in the chest and slashing his face. Witnesses said that Pino continued waving the knife and making threats as he left the scene, before fleeing to another residence where officers from the Zuni Police Department later arrested him. Investigators recovered a knife believed to have been used during the assault.
Medical personnel determined that one male victim suffered a stab wound to his chest and a facial laceration, while a female victim sustained multiple superficial stab wounds to her chest, arm, and leg.
Pino is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He will remain in custody pending a detention hearing. If convicted on these charges, Pino faces up to 10 years in prison on each count.
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 the announcement regarding these charges.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting it.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.