U.S. Attorney, Albuquerque FBI Charge Habitual Offender with Domestic Assault

ALBUQUERQUE – A Utah man was charged by indictment with assaulting a victim with a knife while she was holding her daughter in Sheep Springs, New Mexico.

Kubert Yanito, 51, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today for an arraignment and detention hearing, and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, on October 11, 2023, Yanito allegedly assaulted Jane Doe 1 with a knife while she was holding her daughter, Jane Doe 2. Yanito had previously been convicted of domestic violence, making him a habitual offender.  

If convicted of the current charges, Yanito faces up to 10 years in prison.

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 Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nichola J. Marshall.

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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