A Newcomb resident has admitted guilt to federal charges related to an incident involving a firearm. Court documents state that on February 28, 2025, James Smiley, Jr., age 56 and a member of the Navajo Nation, entered a home located within the Navajo Nation boundaries. He pointed a gun at three men and threatened to kill them without provocation.
Smiley pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. He faces up to life in prison at sentencing. After release from prison, he will be required to serve no less than five years—and possibly up to life—of supervised release.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.”
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with support from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is handling prosecution.
