ALBUQUERQUE — A Smith Lake man was sentenced to 11 years and four months in federal prison for the 2021 murder of a man in Church Rock.

According to court documents, Josiah Alan Smith, 29, shot and killed a man at a home near Church Rock on the Navajo Nation on May 17, 2021. Smith, who had arrived at the residence earlier in the day, allegedly fired into a window from outside the home, hitting the victim in the back and killing him.

Following the shooting, Smith fled the scene and attempted to conceal evidence by disposing of the murder weapon. Smith was arrested approximately three months after the incident.

Upon his release from prison, Smith will be subject to five years of...

MANY FARMS, Ariz. — The Law and Order Committee and the Health, Education, and Human Services Committee convened a special meeting at the Many Farms Chapter House to address pressing public safety issues affecting the community on Nov. 7. Community members voiced concerns regarding drug trafficking, alcohol abuse, and the critical shortage of law enforcement personnel.

“Addressing the community’s public safety concerns is paramount,” Law and Order Committee Chair Eugenia Charles-Newton said. “We came to listen, take action, and ensure that the voices of Many Farms and other Diné communities are informed of our approach to increasing law enforcement and decreasing...

FARMINGTON — In June, the Cannabis Control Division conducted a compliance check into NNK Equities, located at 23 Rd. 6940 in Waterflow, N.M.

NNK was determined to have exceeded its allotted plant count. At this point, the New Mexico State Police Special Investigations Unit was assigned to assist.

A secondary complaint was received regarding a large grow located at 3658 U.S. Hwy. 64 in Waterflow. A portion of the property at this address also turned out to be leased to NNK Equities.

The first property, 23 Rd. 6940, was approximately 0.75 acres, and the second property leased located at 3658 U.S Hwy. 64, was approximately 90 acres.

The CCD began the process of revoking their...

Featured DWI



Randell David

Oct. 9, 3:39 pm

Aggravated DWI

A Tohatchi man was stopped for speeding and driving recklessly at a local gas station, where he was eventually arrested and charged with DWI.

McKinley County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Marquez responded to a call for service on U.S. Highway 491. The calling party stated they were following a red Chevrolet Avalanche that was swerving in and out of traffic southbound on the highway. The vehicle was also reportedly missing its left rearview window.

Marquez traveled towards Yatahey where he was advised that the suspect vehicle was driving southbound and then turning back northbound. He arrived near the Edward O Plummer...