Farmington woman sentenced for intentional vehicle assault on motorcyclist

Tenille Quintawna Peshlakai was sentenced to five years of probation for intentionally causing a motorcyclist to crash after a 2024 argument in Farmington.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 11:09 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico

Gas Station Dispute Leads to Violent Road Confrontation

A Farmington resident is facing five years of federal probation after being convicted of a targeted assault involving a motor vehicle. According to court records, the incident began on September 2, 2024, when Tenille Quintawna Peshlakai, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in a verbal argument with a motorcyclist at a local gas station. Following the dispute, Peshlakai initially drove away but then executed a U-turn to pursue the victim. Upon catching up to the motorcyclist, she swerved her vehicle directly into his path, forcing the victim to lay down his motorcycle and collide with her car.

Hit-and-Run Investigation and Federal Charges

Federal investigators reported that Peshlakai fled the scene of the crash immediately, failing to wait for law enforcement or emergency medical personnel to arrive. The subsequent investigation, spearheaded by the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, eventually linked Peshlakai to the assault. Because the incident occurred within federal jurisdiction involving a member of the Navajo Nation, the case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. Peshlakai formally entered a guilty plea to the charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Sentencing Details and Federal Probation

The announcement of the five-year probation sentence was made on April 13, 2026, by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and FBI Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris. While the defense and prosecution presented their arguments regarding the appropriate penalty, the court ultimately decided on an extended period of supervision. Officials reminded the public that the federal system does not offer parole, meaning Peshlakai will be required to serve the full duration of her probationary term under strict court-mandated conditions.