The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that two individuals from the Hopi Reservation have received sentences of more than 10 years in prison after they were found guilty of shooting at a Hopi police officer in 2021.
According to a news release from the DOJ, Adelbert Johnson, 39, from Dilkon, received a 17-year sentence, while Mike Duffey III, 41, from Ganado, received a 14-year sentence on June 21.
The Department of Justice stated that both individuals were found guilty of two instances of assault with a deadly weapon, along with multiple firearm charges for each defendant.
Johnson and Duffey were driving through the Hopi Reservation, situated in northeastern Arizona, on Feb. 3, 2021.
According to the DOJ, the nearby Navajo Nation has two men as its members.
According to the DOJ, Duffey drove through a stop sign and almost crashed into a Hopi Law Enforcement Services vehicle while he was behind the wheel. He then fled from the police, initiating a short pursuit.
According to the DOJ, Johnson refused to pull over and instead fired multiple shots at the officers pursuing him, using an AR-15 style rifle.
According to the DOJ, although no residents or police officers were injured during the shooting, the police had a close call as they narrowly missed being hit.
After a five-day jury trial, both men admitted their guilt and were convicted of the charges in September of 2023.
Daniel Mayo, the acting special agent of the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office, stated that the shooting was unjustified and put the lives of police officers at risk, who work tirelessly to ensure the safety of their community. The severity of such an attack is evident from the sentences given to the defendants.
Gary Restaino, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, aimed to convey a clear message about the gravity of shooting at law enforcement officials by imposing harsh sentences on Johnson and Duffey.
According to Restaino, this statement conveys a clear message that any form of violence directed towards them will not be accepted.
In addition to being charged for possession of a firearm, all of the men have prior felony convictions. This means they are also facing a charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
After their release, they will be put under three years of supervised probation, as per the terms.
According to a news release from the Department of Justice, the investigation was carried out by the FBI’s Phoenix Field Office and Hopi Law Enforcement Services, with the aid of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as law enforcement officials from Navajo and tribal entities.
