HOLBROOK, Ariz. — A man accused in a recent Pinetop homicide has been extradited to Arizona and booked into the Navajo County Jail, according to a media release issued.
Authorities said Michael Abatti was extradited Tuesday, Dec. 30, arriving in Holbrook at approximately 3:55 p.m. after being transported from the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Jail in El Centro, California. The extradition was completed without incident.
Upon arrival, Abatti was booked into the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office Jail on one charge of first-degree murder, a Class 1 felony, under A.R.S. § 13-1105. The charge stems from a homicide investigation in Pinetop.
Abatti is scheduled to make an initial appearance before a Navajo County Division III Judge Saline at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31.
The Navajo County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that all charges are allegations only and that Abatti is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
