Still a threat?
Navajo Nation Police chief says man’s actions taken seriously

Jarvis Quandalacy

By Karen Francis
and John Christian Hopkins
Diné Bureau

WINDOW ROCK — The Office of the President said that information contained in a news release issued by the Navajo Nation Division of Human Resources Administration yesterday was incorrect.

Apparently the release had been intended as internal communication, and it contained some inaccurate statements.

According to the president’s office, Jarvis Quandalacy, who was named in the news release as allegedly threatening an employee of the Department of Justice, was still employed with the Navajo Nation DOJ. The news release had stated that Quandalacy was a former employee, however he had never officially been let go, communications director George Hardeen said.

Hardeen said that he was told by Navajo Nation Attorney General Louis Denetsosie that Quandalacy had turned in his laptop and other work items, but had never submitted a letter of resignation. Nor had he been notified of his dismissal, Hardeen said.

“No paperwork had been done,” Hardeen added. Any further disciplinary action is still to be determined by the Attorney General, the president’s office said.

The president’s office also stated that personal information reported in the DHR release and Quandalacy’s alleged threat to use explosives and a machine gun were unconfirmed.

Navajo Nation Chief of Police Jim Benally added that the situation regarding Quandalacy and the April 2 robbery of the Mustang Convenience Store in Tse Bonito were unrelated.
The investigation, led by Lt. Henry Moore, is continuing and police are continuing to take precautions.

“He lived in Gallup and used to take the bus to work,” Hardeen said. “He is known by people around here.”

Hardeen said that he and the president were not in the area yesterday when the threat had allegedly occurred. They were at a gathering for the Eastern Navajo Agency at Route 66 Casino.

“In fact, when we got back we didn’t see any police around the Council Chamber or president’s office,” Hardeen said.
However, Benally said there will be a noticeable increased police presence in the Window Rock capital area to ensure the safety of Navajo Nation employees.

Benally said that the Navajo Nation Law Enforcement takes every threat occurring on the Navajo Nation as “serious and credible” and responds appropriately. He said that an investigation is pending.

Hardeen said that the president wanted to make sure that everyone was safe.

“Safety was his first concern and he was assured that everybody was (safe),” Hardeen said.

Anyone with information to report is encouraged to call the Window Rock Police District at (928) 871-6363.