Tyrell Jordan Benally, Assault, New Mexico 2024

A brutal attack in Shiprock left a victim with life-threatening injuries, according to court documents. Tyrell Jordan Benally, 25, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, has pleaded guilty in federal court to a single assault charge related to the attack.

On January 1, 2024, Benally assaulted Jane Doe at a residence in Shiprock, New Mexico. The assault involved repeatedly striking her with a closed fist and strangling her until she lost consciousness, causing Jane Doe to suffer serious bodily injury, including life-threatening injuries from the strangulation.

Benally faces up to 10 years in prison followed by up to three years of supervised release at sentencing. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.

The assault was a brutal and violent act that left the victim with serious injuries. Benally’s guilty plea brings some sense of closure to the victim and her family. We urge the court to take this case seriously and impose the maximum sentence.

The case is a stark reminder of the importance of community safety and the need for robust law enforcement efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who commit violent crimes are brought to justice.

Benally’s sentencing has not been set yet. We will provide an update once the court has set a sentencing date.

According to court documents, the assault occurred on January 1, 2024. Benally faces up to 10 years in prison followed by up to three years of supervised release.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico has been working closely with the FBI and local law enforcement to ensure that Benally is held accountable for his actions.

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