Dilkon teacher arrested

Female student accuses Begay of sexual assault

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Pilot-Independent

DILKON — A Dilkon Community School teacher is being investigated for sexual assault of a minor.

Michael Begay, coach and physical fitness instructor, has been accused by a juvenile female of inappropriately touching her. Begay has pleaded not guilty.

On the evening of Dec. 22, the female went to the Dilkon Police District to report the incident. She stated that Begay came over to her parent's residence and asked her to take a cruise with him in the Old Navajo Housing Authority. While driving, Begay and the allegedvictim consumed an alcoholic beverage. Begay, according to the juvenile, then inappropriately touched her while they were in his vehicle. The victim told police officials that she went with Begay because she knew him and trusted him as a relative.

Police were then dispatched to Begay's residence, located on the school compound, where he was arrested. Begay was under the influence of alcohol at the time of his arrest, and was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Lt. Emerson Lee of Dilkon District stated that the case was referred to Criminal Investigations, with the possibility of federal charges pending.

Begay has been in custody at the Adult Detention Facility in Window Rock. He was transported to Dilkon District Court for arraignment on Wednesday, where he entered a plea of not guilty.

He is currently being held at the Window Rock jail until hepays a cash bond.

High-speed pursuit
DILKON — A 38-year old man from the Pima Reservation was arrested Tuesday night after a high-speed vehicle pursuit.

Around 7:30 p.m., Winslow City Police Department contacted Dilkon Police District and requested assistance with the pursuit that began in Winslow. Officers reported that Edward Little was driving a 2005 Chevy Malibu on I-40 and State Road 99 toward Leupp at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.

During the pursuit, Little would stop in the middle of the road, causing officers to nearly rear end him several times. Little was also swerving at oncoming traffic. Little then stopped the vehicle on Coconino County Road 505, where he was arrested by Navajo Nation police.

Little was taken into custody by Winslow City Police Department and was booked into the Navajo County Detention Center where he was charged with felony charges.

Additional misdemeanor charges will be filed against him.

Officer injured
DILKON — A Navajo Nation police officer has undergone surgery on his foot as a result of an altercation on Christmas Eve.

After Officer Ernest Montoya pulled over a vehicle where the driver was confirmed to be under the influence of alcohol. The vehicle passenger, Brian Yazzie, fled. After a foot pursuit, Montoya and Yazzie began a scuffle, resulting in a broken bone in his foot.

Montoya was transported to Sage Memorial Hospital in Ganado. Yazzie was later arrested and charged with resisting arrest and assault.

Two passengers in the vehicle, Shaun Sage and Ryan Yazzie, were also arrested and transported to Window Rock Adult Detention Facility.