Sanostee Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault Charge

ALBUQUERQUE—Donovan Isiah Sisco, 19, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Sanostee, New Mexico, pleaded guilty this morning to an aggravated burglary charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Sisco was arrested on March 1, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging him with unlawfully entering into a dwelling for the purpose of committing a felony and with committing a battery. He subsequently was indicted and charged with aggravated burglary and assault with intent to commit aggravated burglary in a residence located on the Navajo Indian Reservation on February 8, 2013.

Today, Sisco entered his guilty plea to count two of a superseding indictment charging him with assault with the intention to commit an aggravated burglary. In his plea agreement, Sisco admitted entering the victim’s home without consent and assaulting the victim by grabbing her by the hair and throwing her to the ground causing her to sustain injuries. Sisco also admitted breaking the windows at the victim’s residence as well as the windows of the victim’s vehicle.

Sisco remains in federal custody pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Sisco faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Farmington Office of the FBI and the Shiprock Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Y. Ramirez is prosecuting the case.