Zuni Man Sentenced for 2021 Assault

ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man was sentenced to five years in prison for a 2021 assault that left the victim with severe injuries.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on December 16, 2021, Darold ZunieFeathers, 29, and John Doe had been hanging out with friends when they decided to buy more cigarettes before the gas station closed. Instead of driving to the gas station, ZunieFeathers turned down a side dirt road and assaulted John Doe in the car.

During the assault, ZunieFeathers struck John Doe repeatedly and bit him multiple times on the torso, arm, and hand. The bites caused severe damage to John Doe's hand, resulting in the amputation of one finger and the partial amputation of another.

At the time of the assault, ZunieFeathers was on supervised release following a 2017 conviction for involuntary manslaughter.

ZunieFeathers pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon. Upon his release from prison, ZunieFeathers will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.

The Zuni Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall prosecuted the case.