Ethan Arviso, prosecuting attorney, receives Excellence in Leadership Award

Posted by Nicholas House | Nov 21, 2024 | News |

WINDOW ROCK – The prosecutor’s office recognized Ethan Arviso’s exceptional leadership within the organization by presenting him with an Excellence in Leadership Award on Monday, Nov. 18.

The prosecutor’s office presented two Excellence in Leadership awards, one to an officer who declined recognition in the Navajo Times because of professional confidentiality concerns. Arviso, 29, a prosecuting attorney within the Major Crimes Unit, manages intricate criminal cases, including homicides, sex crimes involving minors, and serious aggravated battery cases.

The MCU, established by the prosecutor’s office, in December 2023, is tasked with prosecuting significant crime cases that have been declined for prosecution by the federal government. Arviso assumed the role of team leader for the MCU in January of this year. Ethan holds a law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law, which he obtained in May 2021. He is licensed to practice law in New Mexico and Diné Bikéyah.

Arviso is Tsi’naajinii and born for Kinyaa’áanii. His maternal grandfather is Bit’ahnii, and his paternal grandfather is Ts’ah Yisk’idnii. He is from Tʼiistsʼóóz Ńdeeshgizh.

“I am very proud and very happy to receive this Excellence in Leadership Award. It has been presented to me by the chief prosecutor (Vernon Jackson) for the Office of the Prosecutor. To me, this resembles acknowledgment that we (MCU) are looking at these offenses, and we are trying to make sure that we provide that umbrella, that last line of defense for justice within the Office of the Prosecutor,” Arviso said. “Being presented with this award shows that we are on the right path, that we are on the right track, and that we are every day trying to ensure that we bring that justice and we bring that same sense of passion and trying to (make) sure that we don’t lose sight of that as we move forward and progress with this new unit that is taking shape and ever-evolving, every day.”

Unit excellence, team of young prosecutors

The prosecutor’s office held a meeting before acknowledging the award to Arviso, going over the Title 17 criminal code amendments. This included stakeholders from the police department, criminal investigation, the Department of Social Services, and the Judicial Branch, said Jackson. “We’re here going through the specific changes that we want to make. In addition to doing that, I also took time to recognize Mr. Ethan Arviso’s work,” he said.

Jackson’s initiative not only emphasized the leadership of the MCU but also underscored the contributions of the recently established 11-month-old unit excellence and the team of 29-year-old prosecutors. Notably, only months apart, members of the Arviso team, including prosecutors Kevin Barnett and Cierra Moore, are part of this esteemed group.

“The prosecutors that are in the Major Crimes Unit are young, bright, new law school graduates who are ready to rock and roll and do what’s necessary for their people, particularly when they have a mindset like Mr. Arviso here. He’s using his skills, he’s using his education, he’s using his license to make life for the Navajo people better,” Jackson highlighted. “That’s what all three of them bring to the table…. In a new program that’s just now developing and growing, he grows with it and so does the program.”

Crime – a matter of concern

Jackson observes throughout the Navajo Nation that crime is a matter of great concern. “Many of the community meetings that I go to, community members rise and stand, and they say, ‘Why is it that Joe Begay, who killed another person, is still walking around in the community?’ ‘Why is there some sort of prosecution being initiated to hold him accountable throughout the Navajo Nation?” he asked.

The current state of affairs in the domain of crime prevention is characterized by a significant gap. This gap arises when a major crime defense attorney takes over a case, resulting in federal prosecutors handling the matter. These cases are typically filed in federal court, but a substantial number of them are declined for prosecution. Notably, many of these cases involve homicides, child abuse, and other serious violations against children.

For years, there was a lack of prosecutions in these cases. When individuals would attempt to seek justice, their cases would be declined, leading to a perception that no meaningful efforts are being made to address these issues. Consequently, the community believes that nothing is being done to combat these problems.

In response to this situation, the MCU was established within the prosecutor’s office. The primary responsibility of this unit is to review these cases and determine whether prosecutions should be initiated. To effectively address these cases, it is crucial to bring in fresh perspectives, new ideas, and innovative approaches.

“Here you have a new person (Ethan), all three of them (MCU prosecutors) are new, and you have a team leader like Mr. Arviso here, who’s at the head of the pack and really making an impact,” said Jackson.

Major crimes unit team leader

Arviso is grateful for this opportunity, as he has been appointed as the team leader for the MCU and can advance within the prosecutor’s office.

His goal is to become a lawyer and ensure that he conducts his work with integrity. He has been provided with this opportunity to serve his nation and to use his license and abilities to support his people. Arviso believes that everyone should have access to necessities, but unfortunately, this is not always the case.

He emphasizes the importance of his team maintaining a high level of compassion and passion in their daily work, particularly when dealing with serious felonious offenses.