Federal Grand Jury Indicts Ute Fish and Wildlife Officer in 2022 Shooting on Tribal Land in Uinta Canyon

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Waneka Rosebud Cornpeach, age 40, of Fort Duchesne, Utah, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Utah for assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, both while within Indian Country.

According to the indictment, on or about July 17, 2022, the defendant allegedly fired her weapon at two different victims, resulting in serious bodily injury.   The indictment charges the defendant with four counts:  two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon while within Indian Country in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(3) and 1153, and two counts of assault resulting in serious bodily injury while within Indian Country in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(6) and 1153. 

The defendant made her initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Daphne A. Oberg on November 30, 2023. 

The FBI’s Salt Lake City Field Office conducted the investigation.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Churnet from the District of Colorado is handling the prosecution of the case in the United States District Court for the District of Utah. 

The charges in the indictment are allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.