U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing of Zuni Man for Violent Assault Publisher: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico Dateline: Albuquerque, New Mexico Date: 19 December 2024 Subjects: American Government , Crime

ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man was sentenced to 21 months in federal court for a violent assault that left a fellow tribal member with severe injuries.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on January 25, 2023, Zuni Police Department (ZPD) officers responded to a report of an assault near a road within the Zuni Pueblo. They found the victim, John Doe, lying in the road, bleeding heavily from the head and facial area. Witnesses reported that the assailants had fled the scene in a pick-up truck.

John Doe suffered severe injuries that required hospitalization for several days.

The investigation revealed that the incident began when Christopher Hannaweeke Sr., 49, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, hit the victim's dog with his vehicle. When John Doe confronted Hannaweeke, an altercation ensued. Hannaweeke admitted to striking and kicking John Doe, stating he was "overcome with emotion" due to an ongoing neighborhood feud.

During a subsequent interview, Hannaweeke acknowledged to FBI agents on February 3, 2023, that his conduct "went too far." 

Upon his release from prison, Hannaweeke will be subject to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case.

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Updated December 19, 2024

Press Release Number: 24-401