Enrolled member of the Navajo Nation sentenced to six years in federal prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country

              ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Steven Barbone, 38, of To’hajiilee, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced to six years and four months in prison on April 12 for assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country.

              Barbone pleaded guilty to this offense on May 12, 2020. According to the plea agreement and other court documents, in Sept. 2019, Barbone arrived under the influence of alcohol at his estranged wife’s home on the Navajo Nation and held Jane Doe against her will for two days. Barbone admitted to punching Jane Doe and using a taser to cause bodily harm. At some point, Barbone injected Jane Doe with methamphetamine under threat and without her consent. Jane Doe was hospitalized for three days to treat and recover from her injuries.

              Upon his release from prison, Barbone will be subject to three years of supervised release.

              The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Fredrick T. Mendenhall prosecuted the case.