WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The U.S. Department of Justice's U.S. Attorney's office for XXXXXX (insert district) issued the following press release:
ALBUQUERQUE -A Sanostee man is facing federal charges afteran alleged assault left a man with a fractured facial bone and other injuries.
According to court documents, on October 18, 2026, Cordell Washburn, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, repeatedly struck the victim with an axe handle and kicked him while he was on the ground outside a residence in Sanostee, New Mexico. When a witness intervened, Washburn allegedly raised the axe handle toward her, causing her to retreat. Other witnesses reported hearing Washburn threaten to kill the victim. They also reported seeing him throw large ...