Navajo Man Charged with Firearms Offenses

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Nathaniel Begay made an initial appearance in federal court on an indictment charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Begay, 29, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 1.

According to the indictment, on April 28, 2022, using two handguns, Begay shot multiple rounds at three adult individuals and five juveniles with the intent to cause bodily harm.

An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Begay faces up to life in prison.

FBI Farmington Agency investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Farmington Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Matthew J. McGinley is prosecuting the case.