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ROBERT BENJAMIN NELSON Courtesy Photo
LAGUNAPUEBLO – The United States Department of Justice announced on April 23 that Robert Benjamin Nelson, 31 of Scottsdale Arizona, pleaded guilty to attempted murder of federal officers. The FBI took over the investigation in September 2020, quickly charging the alleged shooter, Robert Benjamin Nelson, with a series of felony charges. Per a plea agreement, Nelson faces between 10 and 30 years at sentencing which has not been scheduled.
On September 12, 2020, a New Mexico State Police officer was shot while attempting a traffic stop outside of Laguna on Interstate 40. The officer, identified by NMSP as Officer Sharron Duran, was also working as a Federal Task Force Officer for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Albuquerque.
NMSP Officer Duran was patrolling Interstate 40 when she initiated a traffic stop at mile marker 130 near Laguna, New Mexico. Officer Duran pulled over a GMC pickup, which was driven by Scottsdale, Arizona man Nelson.
According to NMSP Officer Ray Wilson, Officer Duran approached the pickup where Nelson fired several rounds – unprovoked – apparently aiming for Officer Duran’s head. Duran was shot at least once, managing to recover enough energy to return fire to Nelson.
Nelson managed to flee the scene and headed Eastbound on I-40, Officer Duran returned to her vehicle – despite “having multiple injuries” – and chased after Nelson. The GMC would stop near mile marker 135 as Laguna Police arrived on scene to assist the injured NMSP officer. Officer Wilson said that Nelson was taken into custody shortly after without further incident.
Officer Duran had non-life-threatening injuries and was transported an area hospital where she was treated and released. Duran was later identified as working for the FBI, as a Federal Task Force Officer.
The FBI released dash and body camera footage of the incident in late 2020, showing Officer Duran thrown to the ground after being struck by a bullet. Officer Duran quickly scrambles to her feet and discharges rounds from her department issued firearm, running back to her cruiser and calling for assistance saying, “I’ve been hit” over the radio while pursuing Nelson.
Nelson admitted to using a .22 caliber pistol and firing it three times at officer Nelson. The muzzle blast and initial round from the revolver shattered the passenger window, sending shards of glass into the officer’s face and eyes. The officer raised her hands to shield her face, and the second and third bullets struck her in the hands, causing serious and permanent injury. The officer fell to the ground, but immediately got back up and returned fire as the truck sped off.
Despite being hit, Officer Duran continued to follow Nelson down Interstate 40, finally catching up with, arresting and booking him at the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico. Before he was arrested, he stopped off of I-40 and grabbed a rifle from the back of his vehicle, already wounded, Officer Duran waited until officers from Laguna Pueblo Police department could arrive on scene and offer assistance. He was seen on Sept. 14, 2020, in the Cibola County Magistrate Court by the Honorable Johnny Valdez, who dismissed the case without prejudice so it could be picked up by higher courts on Sept. 16. Prior to that, on Sept. 14, Valdez issued a 100 percent secured cash bond of $500,000. The case was kicked up until finally landing in the United States District Court.
A mistrial was declared in this case because of issues arising from a hung jury earlier in the year that could not determine how guilty Nelson was in the incident. All but one member of the jury was in agreement with Nelson’s guilt, but due to medical obligations of jury members, a mistrial was declared. Today, Duran has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. The trail came to an end on March 23 after Nelson took a plea deal.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case in conjunction with the New Mexico State Police and the Albuquerque Multiagency Officer Involved Shooting Team. Numerous Agencies, from the New Mexico State Police to Laguna Pueblo Police Department were involved in the investigation. Assistant US Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and Nicholas Mote prosecuted this case and will see it through to sentencing. The Cibola Citizen followed this case since the incident first occurred in