ALBUQUERQUE – A Sanostee man is facing federal charges after an alleged assault left a man with a fractured facial bone and other injuries.
According to court documents, on October 18, 2026, Cordell Washburn , 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, repeatedly struck the victim with an axe handle and kicked him while he was on the ground outside a residence in Sanostee, New Mexico. When a witness intervened, Washburn allegedly raised the axe handle toward her, causing her to retreat. Other witnesses reported hearing Washburn threaten to kill the victim. They also reported seeing him throw large rocks at a woman and break a truck window with a rock.
Navajo Nation Police officers responding to the scene found the victim bleeding from his head and face and appearing disoriented. Officers located Washburn approximately half a mile from the residence and took him into custody. Investigators recovered an axe handle from the scene.
The victim later told investigators that the assault began when he approached Washburn to retrieve his truck keys. He reported being knocked to the ground, beaten and kicked. Medical records confirmed that the victim suffered a facial fracture and abrasions to both knees.
Washburn is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. He will remain in third party custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Washburn faces up to 10 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.
The Farmington 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 Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — New Mexico — U.S. Department of Justice press release.