Delegate arrested
Omer Begay accused of punching his wife in the face several times

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

GREASEWOOD SPRINGS — Council Delegate Omer Begay, Jr., 43, (Greasewood Springs) was arrested Saturday evening on charges of battery and possession of alcohol after allegedly punching his wife in the face several times.

Dilkon Police District received a call Saturday from Begay's wife, Marlene Toadlena, 41, around 7:15 p.m., who was crying hysterically, stating that she had locked herself in their truck after Begay allegedly hit her with his fist several times. Toadlena told police that Begay had attempted to get into their blue 2004 Dodge extended cab pickup several times, before going into the couple's trailer.

According to arresting officer Lambert Baldwin, Begay, Toadlena, and Begay's cousin, Tauve Begaye, 24, went to Gallup earlier in the evening, where they purchased alcohol, and various items from Wal-Mart. Begay and Toadlena began consuming alcohol after leaving Gallup city limits, while Begaye drove. The couple then had a confrontation in Window Rock, just outside Navajo Arts and Crafts store, where Toadlena began teasing Begay about a past affair, according to Baldwin.

"That raged Omer during the time when they were in the vehicle," said Baldwin.

Begay, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, then turned around and began punching Toadlena in the face, who was sitting directly behind him in the extended cab pickup. Begay's cousin told police that Begay hit her several times with a closed fist. Fifty minutes later, while driving into Greasewood Springs, Toadlena began teasing him again about the same woman.

"The same thing happened where he started hitting her in the face," said Baldwin.

When they arrived back at the house, Begay instructed his cousin to leave. Toadlena, according to police, became fearful of what he might do, so she locked herself in the pickup. When police arrived, Toadlena gave consent to have Begay arrested. Upon entering the trailer, police found Begay "passed out" from alcohol.

From the vehicle, police confiscated numerous open beer containers, a 12-pack of Budweiser, two Zima bottles, a six-pack of Smirnoff Ice, a 6-pack of Coors Light, a fifth of Jose Cuervo tequila, a pint of Jose Cuervo tequila, and a shot of Blackberry Brandy. Empty Budweiser and Bud Light cans were also scattered in the home. Begay was arrested and transported to Window Rock Detention Center. His blood alcohol content was not taken.

Toadlena had slightly swollen lips, with dry blood from two small cuts on her bottom lip, and scratches on her upper lip. She received medical treatment at Sage Memorial Hospital.

"I'm surprised no bruises were visible," said Baldwin. "She was crying; she was scared."

Toadlena told officers that Begay "drinks a lot."

Begay is pending arraignment today in Dilkon District Court at 11 a.m.