Navajo Man Gets 21 Months for Brutal Assault

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A brutal attack on the Navajo Reservation nearly a decade ago has finally landed Charleston Wauneka, 30, of St. Michaels, Arizona, behind bars. Wauneka was sentenced today in federal court to 21 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a federal assault conviction. The sentence brings a measure of closure to a case marked by severe and lasting injuries to the victim.

The assault took place on August 15, 2013, in McKinley County, New Mexico. Wauneka was initially indicted in August 2016, facing charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Details revealed during the proceedings paint a grim picture of the attack – a sustained assault involving both strikes and kicks directed at the victim.

On September 1, 2016, Wauneka entered a guilty plea, admitting to the violent act. He confessed to striking and kicking the victim, acknowledging the significant physical harm he inflicted. The extent of the injuries was laid bare in court: fractured orbital bones around the victim’s left eye, and permanent hearing loss in her left ear. This wasn’t just a simple bar fight; it was a calculated attack with devastating consequences.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Window Rock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, demonstrating a commitment to addressing violence within the tribal community. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Mease skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Wauneka was held accountable for his actions. This collaboration between tribal and federal authorities is crucial in bringing justice to victims in often overlooked areas.

This case was facilitated by the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico. Funded by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women and administered by the Pueblo of Laguna, the project aims to bolster tribal prosecutors’ expertise in federal law and investigative techniques. The goal? To ensure that all viable cases of violence against Native American women are aggressively pursued, either in federal or tribal court – or both.

The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project isn’t simply a bureaucratic initiative; it’s a direct response to concerns raised during annual tribal consultations on violence against women. It represents a concerted effort by the Justice Department to improve engagement, coordination, and ultimately, public safety in tribal communities. While a sentence can’t undo the harm caused, it sends a clear message: violence against Native American women will not be tolerated.

RELATED: To’hajiilee Shooting: Cops Ambushed, Suspect Wounded

RELATED: Mo. Salesman Gets 23 Months for Tax Dodge