Phoenix, Ariz. – United States Attorney Gary M. Restaino announced the indictments and arrests of five individuals for multiple violent felonies committed on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The accused, all residents of the area, face charges ranging from murder to sexual abuse.
Indicted individuals and charges:
- Termaine Billy Celaya, 19, of Whiteriver:
- Charged with second degree murder for an April 24, 2024, homicide involving a motor vehicle.
- Donovan Skidmore, 25, of Whiteriver:
- Charged with robbery for the February 7, 2024, armed robbery of the 7-Mile Store.
- Eagle Tail Ron Tointigh, 21, of Whiteriver:
- Charged with assault by strangling and assault resulting in substantial bodily injury for an August 11, 2024, domestic incident.
- Maurissa Marie Edwards, 34, of Cibecue:
- Charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for a February 6, 2024, stabbing.
- Donovan Wayne Declay, 29, of Whiteriver:
- Charged with two counts of sexual abuse and one count of aggravated sexual abuse related to a December 24, 2022, assault on a family member.
Law enforcement operation and prosecution
The arrests were executed on November 20, 2024, as part of a joint operation involving:
- White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
These agencies collaborated to locate and apprehend the defendants following their indictments.
The cases are being investigated by the FBI. Prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Church, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Legal disclaimer
An indictment serves as an allegation and does not establish guilt. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Evidence must be presented to a jury to determine guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
