Zane C. Yazzie, 33, of Aneth, Utah, was sentenced to 35 months of imprisonment for a series of violent assaults, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Utah. The sentencing follows Yazzie's July 9, 2026, guilty pleas to assault resulting in serious bodily injury within Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm within Indian Country, and assault on a federal officer.
According to court documents and statements from the sentencing hearings, the assaults occurred between March 5, 2026, and March 9, 2026, within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation Reservation. During this period, Yazzie punched a female victim in the face, breaking her nose, and strangled her with his hands while threatening her with a firearm.
During the same timeframe and at the same location, Yazzie struck a second victim over the head with a stick while that individual was sleeping. On March 9, 2026, Yazzie also held a knife to the victim's throat and threatened to slit it.
The sentencing also addressed an incident on March 9, 2026, when law enforcement responded to reports of the assaults. At that time, Yazzie attempted to strike federal officers from the Bureau of Indian Affairs with his fist to cause injury.
In addition to the 35-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Anne Marie McIff Allen sentenced Yazzie to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak stated that the sentence reflects the seriousness of the violent spree and noted that federal law provides additional penalties when violence is directed at responding federal officers. Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls of the Salt Lake City FBI added that the FBI is committed to holding those who threaten the safety of people living and working on tribal lands accountable.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office's Monticello Resident Agency. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brady Wilson and Sam Pead.
The prosecution was part of the Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to coordinate federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement to combat violent crime. PSN serves as a component of Operation Take Back America.
