Whippoorwill and Pinon Duo Sentenced to Lengthy Prison Terms for Assault, Carjacking, and Firearms Offenses

U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Arizona
26 October 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHOENIX– This week, Victoria Lynn Buckinghorse, 25, of Whippoorwill, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 198 months’ imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release. Buckinghorse had previously pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and carjacking. Additionally, Avram Cook, 30, of Pinon, Ariz., was sentenced to 130 months’ imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with a dangerous weapon.

On March 16, 2015, Buckinghorse and Cook assaulted the victim with a shotgun, resulting in the victim’s two fingers being amputated.

On March 29, 2015, Buckinghorse and an unknown male pointed a shotgun at the victim and threatened to shoot her.

On April 15, 2015, Buckinghorse and Cook blocked a road with their vehicle while Cook brandished and pointed a firearm at a family traveling to a family event. As the family was leaving, shots were fired at the vehicle.

Buckinghorse and Cook are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, as well as the victims.

The investigation in this case was conducted by Navajo Nation Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Kiyoko Patterson, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-15-8206-PCT-JJT; CR-15-8237-PCT-JJT; CR-15-8065-PCT-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-106_ Buckinghorse_Cook