FBI News:’
In 2023, Operation Not Forgotten began as an FBI initiative to surge investigative, intelligence, and victim service support to Indian Country offices to assist with unresolved violent crime cases, with a priority placed on cases involving violence against women and children.
Along with the FBI’s broader violent crime mission, Operation Not Forgotten emphasizes the FBI’s continued dedication to addressing violence impacting Indian country, including missing or murdered indigenous persons (MMIP).
The FBI is committed to maintaining close collaboration with our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies, Tribal governments, and community members to build safer communities and protect the rights of all people.
In 2025, the FBI surged 64 FBI personnel nationwide to 10 FBI field offices, which included the FBI Albuquerque Division, to support investigations of Indian Country violent crimes. The six-month operation was the longest and most intense national deployment of FBI resources to address Indian Country crime to date.
“Operation Not Forgotten deployed additional resources to New Mexico’s Indian Country, bolstering the dedicated agents and analysts striving each day to advance these cases toward resolution,” said Justin A. Garris Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division. “Together with our local and tribal partners, we are committed to confronting crime and safeguarding the community.”
Examples In The USAO District of New Mexico:
- Three people were indicted on federal charges after a previously unsolved murder in New Mexico in 2020. Austin Begay, 31, was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Zachariah Shorty, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. Two more suspects, Jaymes Fage, 38, and Joshua Watkins, 40, were also charged with crimes related to concealing the murder. Link
- Renaldo Descheny, 43, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence for his allegedly strangling and striking Jane Doe in the face with a firearm. He will remain in custody pending trial. Link
- Armondo Paul, 25, was arrested after officers from the Navajo Nation Police Department responded to a stabbing at a Shiprock residence. Upon arrival, officers found the victim deceased with a neck wound believed to be from a bladed weapon. Paul is charged with second-degree murder and will remain in custody pending trial. Link Link
- Keanu Lee, 33, was arrested after being charged with three counts of aggravated sexual abuse, one count of sexual abuse, one count of kidnapping, and one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Link
Examples of defendants convicted in relation to crimes investigated during this operation:
- Marvin Albert Wauneka, 40, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for causing a high-speed drunk driving crash on the Navajo Nation that killed two passengers and seriously injured another.
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Individuals with any relevant information about crimes or crimes in Indian Country are encouraged to visit tips.fbi.gov to submit an online tip, call 1-800-CALL-FBI or contact their local FBI office.
Additional resources relating to the FBI’s work in Indian Country can be found at fbi.gov: