Delegate fined for alcohol possession

By Natasha Kaye Johnson
Diné Bureau

GALLUP — Council delegate Omer Begay Jr. pleaded no contest late Monday evening to the charge of possession of alcohol and was fined $50; however, battery charges related to the alleged beating of his wife were not part of the proceeding at the Window Rock Judicial Branch.

"(The liquor possession charge was) all we had in the court records," said Edward Martin, judicial branch director for the Navajo Nation.

Sgt. Emerson Lee, Dilkon District, confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the battery charge was filed and believes it may still be in the Dilkon's Prosecutor's Office. The Prosecutor's Office could not be reached for confirmation.

Begay, 43, was arrested Saturday evening on charges of battery and possession of alcohol after allegedly punching his wife, Marlene Toadlena, 41, in the face several times. Toadlena locked herself in the couple's Dodge truck and called Dilkon police after Begay allegedly hit her.

The two began consuming alcohol earlier in the evening before the incident occurred. The two went to Gallup, along with Begay's cousin, where they purchased the alcohol and began drinking just outside the city limits.

Begay and Toadlena then reportedly had a confrontation while parked outside Navajo Arts and Crafts in Window Rock, where Toadlena began teasing Begay about a past affair. According to the report, Begay became upset and began punching Toadlena in the face. Before they arrived in Greasewood Springs, the incident allegedly happened again, causing Toadlena to lock herself in the vehicle when they arrived at their home.

Begay was arrested at his home where he was found "passed out" from alcohol, and was transported to the Window Rock Detention Center.

From the vehicle, police confiscated numerous open beer containers, a 12-pack of Budweiser, two Zima bottles, a six-pack of Coors Light, a fifth of Jose Cuervo tequila, and pint of Jose Cuervo, and a shot of Blackberry Brandy. Empty Budweiser and Bud Light cans were also scattered in the home.

Sararesa Begay, public information officer from the Speaker's Office, said she was unsure if the office would take administrative action against Begay.

"There's a difference between a personal life and a leadership position," she said.

She declined further comment.