Member of Navajo Nation sentenced to 37 months in prison for federal assault charges in Indian Country

           ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Frank Howe Jr., 24, of Rock Springs, New Mexico was sentenced on June 23 in federal court in Albuquerque to 37 months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country.

           Howe previously pleaded guilty to this offense on Feb. 28.  According to his plea agreement, Howe, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, admitted to physically assaulting his girlfriend in Indian Country on May 7, 2018, within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation.  He got into an argument with the victim while driving his vehicle.  Howe pulled his vehicle over and assaulted the victim causing serious bodily injury.

           Howe must also serve a three-year term of supervised release after completing his sentence.

           The Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety-Criminal Investigations Services investigated this case with the assistance from the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Cowen prosecuted the case.