Alleged Murder Arrested on the Navajo Nation

Farmington, NM - Deputies and Investigators with the United States Marshals Service Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team (SWIFT) Task Force arrested Murder Suspect Evander Tsosie on the morning of May 22, 2012. Tsosie was wanted for the stabbing death of Nathan Lee on March 29, 2012.

The Farmington Police Department Detective Division requested assistance from the SWIFT Task Force in the apprehension of Tsosie, believing he fled to the Navajo Reservation to avoid apprehension. Task Force Officers assigned to the SWIFT Taskforce requested formal Extradition from the Navajo Nation Criminal Prosecutors Office and received Extradition approval for Tsosie on 05/21/2012.

Tsosie was believed to be residing on the Navajo Reservation approximately 3 Miles NW of Blue Gap store in Blue Gap/Pinon, AZ. SWIFT Task Force Officers and Deputy United States Marshals from the District of Arizona Flagstaff sub office and Navajo Nation Criminal Investigators were able to locate and apprehend Tsosie. Tsosie will have an extradition hearing with the Navajo Nation before being released into State custody.

United States Marshal Conrad E. Candelaria stated “with lightning like speed, the Marshals Service is prepared to respond at any stage of an investigation that can result in the apprehension of a dangerous fugitive, this arrest is another testament to the effectiveness of the Marshals Service and the extraordinary partnerships with local, county, state and tribal law enforcement agencies; adding to the efficiency of the Marshals Service is the ability to reach out to any of the 94 federal districts and obtain the assistance of the Marshals Service personnel to assist with the investigation of any potential leads that may result in the arrests of dangerous fugitives”.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.