By Nathan Comp
Rio Grande Sun
VELARDE, N.M. — Velarde’s former acting fire chief was indicted earlier this month on seven felony counts, more than six months after he arrived at an August 2011 fire department staff meeting brandishing an assault rifle and pistol.
Darwin Yazzie, 28, will face five felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of felony child abuse in First Judicial District Court. He is scheduled to be arraigned May 7 in Tierra Amarilla by Judge Sheri Raphaelson. He faces more than 13 years in prison if convicted of all charges. Court records state the indictments are based in part on the testimony of Kenneth Trujillo, who became Velarde’s new fire chief in December and was present on the night in question.
Assistant district attorney Peter Valencia will present the state’s case against Yazzie, who has retained Santa Fe-based attorney Thomas Clark. According to court records, Yazzie arrived drunk to an Aug. 6, 2011 staff meeting at the Velarde Fire Station brandishing at least two firearms. Initial reports suggested Yazzie drew a firearm, but witnesses have given conflicting statements about whether he aimed the weapon at anyone.
Full story: Velarde Fireman Indicted for Bringing Guns to Meeting