Zuni Man Charged with Assault

ALBUQUERQUE - Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Joey Luarkie appeared in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian County. Luarkie, 23, of Zuni Pueblo, will remain in temporary custody pending a detention hearing which is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2024.

According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 4, 2024, Luarkie was at the home of Jane Doe in Zuni when her boyfriend, John Doe, knocked on the door. Jane Doe and John Doe went outside and argued for a short time before John Doe entered the residence to get his stuff. Luarkie followed John Doe and Jane Doe into her bedroom, where a physical altercation allegedly ensued, and John Doe was stabbed in the throat. John Doe left the residence and collapsed in the front yard, where responding officers from the Zuni Police Department found Jane Doe performing CPR on him. John Doe was transported to Zuni Health Center before being life-flighted to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he underwent two emergency surgeries.

A criminal complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the current charge, Luarkie faces up to ten years in prison per count.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall is prosecuting the case.

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