⏱ 2 min read
Larry Begay, a 66-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, brutally assaulted a victim with an exercise bar in Vanderwagen, New Mexico, on March 10, 2025, leaving the victim with serious injuries. The motive behind the attack is not specified, but the severity of the crime has led to Begay facing serious charges. The FBI’s Gallup Resident Agency and the Navajo Nation Police Department investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Mondragon.
Begay pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury, a crime that carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The guilty plea is a significant development in the case, which was announced by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Navajo Nation Police Department. The Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations also provided assistance in the case. The guilty plea and upcoming sentencing of Begay serve as a reminder of the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in bringing perpetrators of violent crimes to justice.
The sentencing of Begay is expected to take place in the coming months, with the defendant facing up to a decade in prison. The case highlights the severity of assault crimes and the need for swift and effective law enforcement action to protect victims and prevent further violence.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New Mexico
- Location: NM
- Source: DOJ Press Release
