Shiprock Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Theft Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Orlando Jay Johnson, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced this afternoon in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 12 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on theft occurring in Indian Country.

Johnson was arrested on Oct. 31, 2014, after officers of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety were called to a fast food restaurant in Shiprock in response to a report that an elderly Navajo man had been robbed of his wallet and money.  According to the criminal complaint, Johnson followed the victim out of the restaurant and stole the wallet from the victim’s pocket.  The victim chased Johnson for approximately half a mile in his truck until he caught up to Johnson, who returned the wallet.

On March 26, 2015, Johnson pled guilty to a felony information charging him with theft occurring in Indian Country.  In entering the guilty plea, Johnson admitted that on Oct. 23, 2014, in San Juan County, N.M., he stole a wallet and cash from the victim. 

This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquel Ruiz-Velez prosecuted this case.