TUCSON MAN SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR TAMPERING WITH A VICTIM IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ALTERCATION ON THE PASCUA YAQUI RESERVATION

TUCSON, Ariz. – On Nov. 30, 2012, James Rayburn Johnson, 44, of Tucson, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Cindy K. Jorgenson to two years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Johnson pleaded guilty on May 9, 2012, to tampering with a victim.

According to court documents, on Nov. 29, 2011, on the Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation, Johnson used physical force, or the threat of the use of physical force, against the victim by taking her cellular telephone away from her when she was attempting to call the police department to report an assault, or possible assault, Johnson had committed against her. In doing so, Johnson intended to hinder, delay, or prevent communication to a law enforcement officer of information relating to the commission, or the possible commission, of a federal offense against the victim.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Pascua Yaqui Indian Police Department. The prosecution was conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquel Arellano, District of Arizona, Tucson.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-11-4235-TUC-CKJ  
RELEASE NUMBER:     2012-230 (Johnson)

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/