ABQ Times

A Newcomb man has been sentenced to three years of supervised probation for assaulting a Navajo Nation Police Department officer. The incident followed a community meeting during which the man threatened tribal officials and later confronted law enforcement.

According to court documents, on the morning of June 4, 2023, the Newcomb Community Chapter held a fiscal-planning meeting attended by about 12 people, including tribal officials and community members. Kenneth Lee Begay, 60, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, publicly expressed frustration over homesite leases and grazing rights during the meeting.

As Begay spoke, he became increasingly agitated, berating officials and making threats. An official called the police, prompting Begay to leave. This was reportedly Begay's first attendance at such a meeting.

Officers from the Navajo Police Department arrived at Begay’s residence shortly thereafter to investigate his threats. Begay accused the officers of trespassing and ordered them off his property. The officers complied but continued speaking to him from beyond his fence line. After admitting to attending the meeting and threatening officials, officers attempted to arrest him. Begay resisted, leading to a confrontation where officers used pepper spray.

During the altercation, one officer suffered a shoulder separation and multiple abrasions, requiring medical leave for a month. Another officer sustained a shoulder sprain and was on leave for five days. Both received treatment at Northern Navajo Medical Center and have since returned to duty.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.