Navajo Man Indicted in Home Invasion

PHOENIX—On March 13, 2012, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned an eight-count indictment against Lee Kinder Tso, 50, of Many Farms, Arizona, for violations of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, assault with a dangerous weapon, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. Tso is a member of the Navajo Nation.

The indictment alleges that on February 3, 2012, Tso used a rifle to shoot two victims on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation, causing the victims serious physical injury.

A conviction for each count of both assault resulting in serious physical injury and assault with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for use of a firearm during a crime of violence carries a maximum of 10 years to life in prison, consecutive to any other prison time imposed. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Neil V. Wake 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.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.