Verland Anthony Sabori, Aggravated Assault, Arizona 2016

PHOENIX – In a brazen act of violence, 35-year-old Verland Anthony Sabori, an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, shot a fellow tribal member in the back on December 15, 2016, leaving him with life-threatening bodily injuries.

The victim, a member of the same community, was struck by Sabori within the boundaries of the Gila River Indian Community. Sabori, a three-time felon, had previously pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.

On October 31, 2016, Judge Douglas L. Rayes sentenced Sabori to 65 months in federal prison, followed by a term of three years of supervised release. The investigation into the crime was conducted by the Gila River Police Department, with the prosecution handled by Christina Covault, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

The case, CR-16-269-DLR, has sparked outrage among community members, who are calling for stricter measures to prevent such violent crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, has vowed to continue pursuing justice for victims of crime.

Sabori’s sentence is seen as a step in the right direction, but many are left wondering what could have been done to prevent the violence in the first place. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for community-based programs to address the root causes of crime.

The Gila River Indian Community has been working to establish programs aimed at reducing violence and promoting public safety. However, more needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving these crimes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, has released a statement urging community members to come forward with information about crime in their neighborhoods. The office has also pledged to continue working with local law enforcement to identify and prosecute those responsible for violent crimes.

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.

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