Pinedale Woman Indicted in June Shooting, Faces Federal Charges
A Pinedale woman was indicted on federal charges November 20 for the June 30 shooting death of a man, federal prosecutors announced. The case, investigated by the FBI with Navajo Nation law enforcement, raises local questions about public safety and the interplay of tribal and federal authorities in San Juan County.
Federal prosecutors announced on November 20 that 45 year old Mabelene Grey, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who lives in Pinedale, has been indicted on charges stemming from the June 30 fatal shooting of a man identified in court papers as John Doe. According to the indictment, Grey intentionally shot and killed John Doe. She faces charges of second degree murder and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
The announcement came from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico and the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. The Gallup Resident Agency led the federal investigation with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Prosecutors said Grey will remain free on conditions of release until a trial date is set, and that a conviction could carry a sentence ranging from a minimum of 10 years up to life in prison.
An indictment is an allegation, and the justice system presumes defendants are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The case underscores the complex jurisdictional landscape in this region where tribal sovereignty, federal authority, and local public safety concerns intersect. Cooperation between the FBI and Navajo Nation investigators reflects ongoing partnerships that are often required to investigate serious crimes that involve tribal members or occur in or near tribal lands.
For residents of San Juan County and the Pinedale area the indictment is likely to reopen community concerns about violent crime and the effectiveness of law enforcement responses. Families and neighbors may be awaiting more details about the circumstances of the June incident and the identity of the victim, while local leaders will be watching how the federal prosecution unfolds. With no trial date yet scheduled, court proceedings in the District of New Mexico will determine whether the charges are proven in court.