ALBUQUERQUE – A Little Water man pleaded guilty to shooting another man during a drunken altercation.
According to court documents, on July 29, 2024, Anthony Sandoval , 41, an enrolled member of the Navajo nation, and John Doe were intoxicated when they got into disagreement. During the altercation, Sandoval shot John Doe. After shooting him, Sandoval called for assistance and admitted to shooting him before fleeing the scene and hiding the firearm.
Sandoval was apprehended that night and the firearm was recovered. John Doe was hospitalized and underwent surgery to repair injuries sustained during the shooting.
Sandoval pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and faces up to 10 years in prison at sentencing.
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 today.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — New Mexico — U.S. Department of Justice press release.