ALBUQUERQUE – A 26-year-old Zuni man has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to an armed standoff with law enforcement officers on the Zuni Pueblo.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Eric Bowannie admitted to firing multiple rounds at two federal officers on July 7, 2024, while they were performing their official duties within the boundaries of the Zuni Pueblo. In his plea agreement, Bowannie acknowledged that he intended to cause bodily harm to the officers.
Bowannie remains in custody as he awaits sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison, followed by up to three years of supervised release.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Albuquerque Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced the guilty plea, highlighting the collaborative effort between federal and tribal law enforcement agencies. The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI and the Zuni Police Department conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ry Ellison and Kirk Williams prosecuting the case