Kendale Johnson, Assaulting a Federal Officer with a Dangerous Weapon, Arizona 2017

A Shiprock man has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for assaulting a federal officer during a high-speed chase on the Navajo Nation Reservation.

Kendale Johnson, 28, refused to pull over for speeding on State Route 98 near Kaibeto, Arizona, on July 4, 2017. The chase, which reached speeds of 80-90 miles per hour, continued for at least 10 miles before Johnson was taken into custody.

During the chase, Johnson and a passenger in his vehicle threw rocks at the pursuing patrol vehicle, putting the officer’s life in danger. Johnson initially escaped, but he was swiftly located and arrested.

Johnson, a member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting an assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon. The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit.

The sentencing, which took place yesterday, came after Johnson had previously pleaded guilty to the charges. U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan handed down the 37-month sentence, which will be served at a federal prison.

Johnson’s actions put the lives of law enforcement officers at risk, and his sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, is committed to holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring public safety.

Case Number: CR-17-08175-SPL. Release Number: 2018-049_Johnson. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/usao/az or follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ.

Related Federal Cases