NEW LAGUNA, N.M. – Lynette Chavez, a 26-year-old from New Laguna has been arraigned in a federal court for assaulting a federal police officer. Chavez will remain in jail pending her trial, which has not yet been scheduled. According to a federal grand jury indictment, issued on April 22, 2021, Chavez assaulted a Laguna Police Officer in 2018. By virtue of their agreement with the US federal government, Laguna Police Officers have a Special Law Enforcement Commission from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, making them federal law enforcement officers. On December 18, 2018, Chavez allegedly assaulted a LPD officer on Pueblo of Laguna land.
Chavez is an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo, and is presumed innocent until found guilty through a trial. If convicted, Chavez faces up to eight years in prison.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is investigating this case with assistance from the Laguna Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander F. Flores is prosecuting this case.