Newcomb Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault Charge

ALBUQUERQUE—This morning in Albuquerque federal court, Delsanto Ray Allen, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Newcomb, New Mexico, entered a guilty plea to an assault with a dangerous weapon charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. At sentencing, Allen faces up to 10 years of imprisonment. Allen has been detained since his arrest on February 1, 2012, and will remain in federal custody pending his sentencing hearing.

Allen was indicted on January 26, 2012, and was charged with (1) assault with a dangerous weapon; and (2) assault resulting in serious bodily injury. According to the indictment, Allen assaulted a woman on November 1, 2011, in Indian Country within San Juan County, New Mexic.

During this morning’s proceedings, Allen pled guilty to count two of the indictment, charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. In his plea agreement, he admitted that he assaulted a woman and caused her to fall from a moving vehicle. He further admitted that the woman was seriously injured as a result of his assault.

Under the terms of Allen’s plea agreement, count one of the indictment will be dismissed after Allen is sentenced.

U.S. Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that the case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle T. Nayback.