Man from Zuni, New Mexico sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for assaulting his wife in Indian Country

            ALBUQUERQUE – Ferrigno Yuselew, 37, of Zuni, New Mexico, was sentenced on April 22 in federal court in Santa Fe, New Mexico to 21 months in prison for assault of an intimate partner by strangling or suffocating in Indian Country.

Yuselew pleaded guilty to this offense on Dec. 17, 2019. In his plea agreement, he admitted to committing the offense two years earlier, on Dec. 17, 2015, in McKinley County, New Mexico. Yuselew assaulted his wife at their home within the boundaries of Zuni Pueblo.  He put his hands around her neck and choked her until she passed out.  Their two children were present at the home when the assault occurred.  Yuselew is an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo.  

            The Pueblo of Zuni Tribal Police Department investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Jaros prosecuted the case.