Shiprock Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault Charge

ALBUQUERQUE—This morning in federal court, Wayne Tahe, 58, a member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, New Mexico, pled guilty to an indictment charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. The guilty plea was entered under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

At sentencing, Tahe faces a maximum penalty of 10 years of imprisonment. Tahe has been in federal custody since his arrest on December 8, 2011 and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Tahe was charged with stabbing his wife in the chest in their Shiprock home on December 4, 2011. Court filings reflect that Tahe stabbed his wife in the chest and also cut her right arm during an argument.

Tahe’s wife initially was transported to the Northern Navajo Medical Center for treatment but later was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital due to the severity of her injuries.

According to court filings, the victim suffered a stab wound to her chest between her lungs and stomach. The victim also suffered a slash wound to her upper right arm, a stab wound to her lower right arm, and a cut on her right arm. She also had multiple bruises on her back, chest, and lower extremities. According to a medical provider, the victim was at a substantial risk of death because she lost a great deal of blood as a result of the attack.

During today’s plea hearing, Tahe admitted assaulting his wife by stabbing her with a kitchen knife.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Shiprock Division of the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Nayback.