⏱ 3 min read
A 42-year-old Morgan Lake man is facing up to 10 years in prison after tackling a Navajo Nation Police officer with his car during a drunk driving stop.
Kendall Benally, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, refused to obey commands and attempted to flee in his vehicle on September 28, 2025.
Benally struck and injured an officer and a marked unit before exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot. He was found and arrested a short time later.
Benally pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit a felony and is set to be sentenced.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations.
Related Federal Cases
- Larry Lee Emerson Jr, BIA Officer Assault, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Preston Henry Tolth, Assault and Carjacking, Navajo Nation AZ, 2024 · Puerto Rico
- F13 Gang Members Plead Guilty to Murder of LAPD Officer, Los Angele… · Illinois
- Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Police Officers, Colorado,… · Illinois
- John Doe Shot Officer, Portland OR, 2024 · Arizona
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New Mexico
- Location: NM
- Source: DOJ Press Release
