Federal Jury Finds Parker Man Guilty of Aggravated Assault for Causing Girlfriend’s Facial Fractures

PHOENIX—Calvin Bryan Evanston, 53, of Parker, Ariz., and a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, was found guilty by a federal jury today of Aggravated Assault for causing serious bodily injury to the victim, his girlfriend of eight years. The four-day jury trial was presided over by U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow.

On August 11, 2008, Evanston got angry with his then live-in girlfriend and struck her in the master bedroom of their home. Evanston hit the victim hard enough to cause her to fall to the floor, and in falling, her head struck the night stand and started bleeding. Evanston left the house for hours, continued to drink alcohol, and returned to their home more than four hours later. He called the police upon his return and stated that he “found her like that.” Both Evanston and the victim had consumed a substantial amount of alcohol prior to the assault. 

The victim sustained severe injuries, including more than five facial fractures and nine lacerations. She was taken to the La Paz County Hospital, then flown immediately by helicopter to Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, where she underwent surgery for her injuries a few days later. Doctors repaired her facial fractures and lacerations with metal plates and screws, skin staples, and sutures. After one week in the hospital, she spent 11 days in a rehabilitation facility to help restore her balance.

The crime of Aggravated Assault resulting in serious bodily injury carries a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Sentencing is set for March 29, 2010, in front of Judge Snow. In determining an actual sentence, the judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Jennifer E. Green and Brian E. Kasprzyk, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-09-8018-PHX-GMS
RELEASE NUMBER: 2010-006 (Evanston)