Press Release
Hotevilla Man Sentenced to 90 Months for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona
PHOENIX– This week, Melvin C. Yazzie, 40, of Hotevilla, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 90 month of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Yazzie had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.
On Sept. 8, 2015, Yazzie engaged in a physical fight with the victim near Ft. Defiance, Ariz. During the fight, Yazzie stabbed the victim with a knife eighteen times. The victim survived and was hospitalized for numerous days. The victim and Yazzie are both enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by Navajo Nation Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-16-08022-PCT-DLR
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-045_YAZZIE
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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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Updated May 19, 2017
Topic
Indian Country Law and Justice
Component