A Fruitland woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of felony assault for assaulting and seriously injuring another woman with a pocketknife.
According to court documents, on February 21, 2024, Richelle R. Upshaw, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted Jane Doe with a knife (considered a “dangerous weapon” under federal law), and that assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Doe’s head and face.
Upshaw faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing. Upon her release from prison, she will be subject to up to three years of supervised release. She must also make criminal restitution to the victim of her stabbing.
The case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations.
Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.
Upshaw’s sentencing is pending. Further details will be provided as necessary.
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- Gary Begay, Assault with a Deadly Bottle, New Mexico 2015 · New Mexico
- Patrick Yazzie-Tso, Violent Assault, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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