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Press Release

Shiprock Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Assault Conviction

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Tina Benally, 38, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced this morning to 21 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for her assault conviction. 

Benally was indicted on Feb. 27, 2013, and charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and child abuse.  Benally was arrested on March 6, 2013, and has been in federal custody since that time.

On May 22, 2013, Benally entered a guilty plea to the assault charge and admitted that on March 2, 2012, after drinking alcohol, she drove her vehicle at excessive speeds and crashed into a semi-truck.  There were two passengers, including a minor child, in Benally’s vehicle at the time of the collision and the adult passenger suffered multiple fractures that required surgery.

This case was investigated by the Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson.

Updated January 26, 2015