Shiprock Man Sentenced to More than Three Years’ Prison for Assault on Officer during High-Speed Chase

U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Arizona
24 April 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHOENIX – Yesterday, Kendale Johnson, 28, of Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Steven P. Logan to 37 months’ imprisonment. Johnson had previously pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting an assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon.

On July 4, 2017, an Arizona DPS Officer, who was cross-commissioned with the Navajo Division of Public Safety, attempted to pull Johnson over for speeding on a stretch of State Route 98 near Kaibeto, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation Reservation. Johnson refused to pull over and instead instigated a high-speed chase that continued for at least 10 miles at speeds of 80-90 miles per hour. During the chase, Johnson and a passenger in his vehicle threw several rocks back at the pursuing patrol vehicle. Johnson initially escaped, but he was swiftly located and taken into custody. Johnson is a member of the Navajo Nation.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney William G. Voit, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-17-08175-SPL

RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-049_Johnson

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