A 34-year-old Navajo man from New Mexico has been charged with assaulting a federally commissioned tribal officer.
Bruce Piaso, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from To’hajiilee, N.M., was arraigned today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on an indictment charging him with assaulting a federal officer.
Piaso entered a not guilty plea to the indictment and was ordered detained pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled.
According to the indictment, Piaso allegedly attacked an officer of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety on May 28, 2016, on the Navajo Indian Reservation by punching and kicking the officer while attempting to avoid arrest.
Piaso allegedly jumped on the officer and attempted to take control of the officer’s weapon.
At the time of the alleged assault, the tribal officer was commissioned as a Special Law Enforcement Officer by the BIA’s Office of Justice Services.
Piaso was taken into tribal custody on May 28, 2016, and remained in tribal custody until his arrest on the federal charge on June 3, 2016.
He was indicted on June 30, 2016, and charged with assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury, and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.
If convicted of the crimes charged in the indictment, Piaso faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
Charges in complaints and indictments are merely accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall is prosecuting the case under a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution.
Bruce Piaso, 34, is a resident of To’hajiilee, N.M., and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.
Defendant: Bruce Piaso
Criminal Charges: Assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury, and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon
City and State: Albuquerque, N.M.
Exact Date: May 28, 2016 (alleged assault)
Sentence or Outcome: Detained pending trial
Dollar Amounts: None
Related Federal Cases
- Larry Lee Emerson Jr, BIA Officer Assault, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Gabriel Manzo, Assault on a Federal Officer, Arizona 2020 · Colorado
- Jett Avery Thomas, Assault on Federal Officer, Oregon 2024 · Colorado
- Jason K. Thompson, Assault by Strangulation and Assault with a Deadly Weapon, New Mexico 2025 · Texas
- Preston Marmolejo, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, New Mexico 2013 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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