Tanisha Phelps

By Journal Staff

POCATELLO — A Fort Hall woman who knifed a 72-year-old female in a wheelchair in December 2014 has pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon.

Tanisha Phelps, 19, entered her guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Pocatello on Monday. Phelps was indicted on the charge by a federal jury in Pocatello on Jan. 27, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Wendy Olson said Phelps entered a guilty plea based on an agreement with the prosecution and will appear for sentencing in front of Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill on June 23.

According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 14, 2014, Fort Hall Police were called to a private residence on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation regarding a possible stabbing.

Officers arrived and found that the defendant had cut the wheelchair-bound victim on her forearm with a knife. The victim told police that the defendant was mad because her music had been turned off and she had told the defendant to go outside and “cool off” before the attack took place.

Phelps then punched the victim in the forehead with her fist and grabbed two kitchen knives. Phelps proceeded to cut the victim’s forearm with one of the knives causing it to bleed. Phelps admitted to cutting the victim during an interview with Fort Hall police and the victim was treated for her injuries.

The charge of assault with a dangerous weapon is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the Fort Hall Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.