Man pleads guilty to assaulting Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-H health clinic employee with rifle
No sentencing hearing has been scheduled
- Ewing Todacheene plead guilty on Aug. 24 to assault upon a federal employee involving use of a deadly weapon in Albuquerque federal court.
- The defendant was initially accused of firing rounds from a gun on April 2, 2020, in the Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle community, southeast of Bloomfield. There were no injuries reported.
- Todacheene wrote in the plea agreement that he pointed his firearm at a female employee of the health clinic while she was in “the performance of her official duties.”
FARMINGTON — A Bloomfield man has pleaded guilty to pointing an “assault rifle” at a federal health care employee when he was allegedly firing rounds from the firearm in the community of Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle last year.
Ewing Todacheene plead guilty on Aug. 24 to assault upon a federal employee involving use of a deadly weapon in Albuquerque federal court as part of a plea agreement, according to court documents.
He was charged on April 3, 2020, with the charge he pled guilty to along with carrying and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the criminal complaint.
The defendant was accused of firing rounds from a gun on April 2, 2020, in the Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle community, southeast of Bloomfield. There were no injuries reported.
The complaint alleged Todacheene was driving around in a green Jeep SUV, pointing an AR-15-style assault weapon at people and firing multiple rounds near buildings and residences.
Witnesses also said he fired the rifle toward a playground and into the air.
Eight spent .223 caliber shell casings were found in the area of the Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle Health Clinic.
Todacheene wrote in the plea agreement that he pointed his firearm at a female employee of the health clinic while she was in “the performance of her official duties.”
When Todacheene was taken into custody, a "black in color AR15 style assault rifle" and a magazine with ammunition were found in the rear seat of the Jeep.
The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in a federal prison. The plea agreement did not list a recommended length of prison sentence from the prosecution or defense.
A sentencing hearing has not been scheduled, according to court records.
Joshua Kellogg covers breaking news for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627 or via email at jkellogg@daily-times.com.
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More:Bloomfield man accused of firing shots from 'assault rifle' in Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle