Fort Defiance Man Sentenced to 4 Years’ Prison for Domestic Violence

     PHOENIX – On January 27, 2020, Bruce Robertson, 40, of Fort Defiance, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 4 years’ imprisonment.  Robertson had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Domestic Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury.

     On multiple occasions in 2015 and 2016, Robertson engaged in acts of domestic violence against his then-girlfriend, repeatedly punching her in the face, shoving her, and threatening to smother her.  In one assault, when Robertson attempted to hit his infant child with a large metal belt, his girlfriend shielded the baby with her own body.  As a result, Robertson beat her with the belt.  The matter was eventually referred to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and agents promptly began an investigation, which led to Robertson’s prosecution.  Robertson is a member of the Navajo Nation, as was the victim, and the crimes occurred near Chinle, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.

     The investigation was conducted by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix.