Newcomb, New Mexico Man Sentenced to 27 Months for Federal Arson Conviction
| U.S. Attorney’s Office October 27, 2011 |
ALBUQUERQUE—Today in federal court in Albuquerque, Derrick Jones Yazzie, a 30-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Newcomb, New Mexico, was sentenced to a 27-month term of imprisonment for his arson conviction. Yazzie will be on supervised release for five years after he completes his prison sentence.
Yazzie was arrested on August 11, 2010 and charged with arson in a criminal complaint. He was subsequently indicted on an arson charge on August 25, 2010. Yazzie has been in federal custody since his arrest.
Court records reflect that Yazzie was charged with arson after he used gasoline and matches to burn a neighbor’s house while the neighbor (the victim) was inside. Witnesses reported that, at approximately 1:00 a.m. on August 11, 2010, they saw Yazzie carry a gas can to the victim’s house, pour liquid from the can onto the exterior of the house, and then ignite a fire at the house. Neighbors were able to extinguish the fire before it completely damaged the house or caused injury to the victim.
U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Yazzie pleaded guilty to the indictment on November 10, 2010 without the benefit of a plea agreement.
The case was investigated by the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety, Shiprock Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shana B. Long.