Fruitland Woman Charged with Assaulting Another Woman with a Knife

ALBUQUERQUE – A Fruitland was charged by indictment with two counts of assault.

Richelle R. Upshaw, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, on February 21, 2023, Upshaw assaulted Jane Doe with a dangerous weapon, a knife, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury to Doe’s head and face.

If convicted of the current charges, Upshaw faces up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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