Police Blotter: Shiprock man pleads guilty to federal assault charges
WINDOW ROCK
Algar Horsechief, 27, who resides in Shiprock, N.M., pleaded guilty Monday in federal district court to two federal assault charges.
During the hearing, Horsechief admitted assaulting his intimate partner by strangulation. He also admitted assaulting another woman and causing her serious bodily injury.
Horsechief was arrested on Aug. 1, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting his intimate partner, a Navajo woman, by strangulation, and also with assaulting her with a dangerous weapon, a wooden stick, with intent to cause bodily harm. Horsechief also was charged with assaulting a second victim, another Navajo woman, and causing her serious bodily injury. According to the indictment, Horsechief committed the crimes on the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County, N.M., on July 24.
On Aug. 26, Horsechief was indicted and charged with (1) assault of an intimate partner by strangulation; (2) assault with a dangerous weapon; and (3) assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
On Monday, Horsechief entered guilty pleas to Counts 1 and 3 of the indictment. In his plea agreement, Horsechief admitted assaulting his intimate partner by biting her left hand, dragging her on the ground by her hair, and strangling her and impeding her breathing. Horsechief also admitted assaulting a second victim by placing his hands around her neck and strangling her until she lost consciousness.
Horsechief has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Horsechief will be sentenced to a federal prison term within the range of 36 to 50 months, and a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow