A man from Shiprock, New Mexico, has been charged with multiple federal offenses after allegedly pointing an assault-style rifle at a minor and several witnesses during a violent altercation that resulted in the minor being hospitalized.
Court documents state that on September 21, 2025, Azariah Arnold Cleveland, 18, who is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, drove himself and several others to the home of the minor victim to confront them. After seeing the minor walking along the road, people in Cleveland’s car exited and began assaulting the minor. During this incident, Cleveland reportedly left his vehicle and aimed his assault-style rifle at the minor, as well as at the minor’s parents and other bystanders. He then fired seven to eight shots into the air. The injured minor was later treated at a local hospital.
Cleveland faces charges including assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. No trial date has been set. If found guilty, Cleveland faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.
“Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.”
The investigation was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with help from both the Navajo Nation Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting.
“A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
