Brandon Bob Lincoln, Involuntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2024

ALBUQUERQUE – In a harrowing turn of events, Brandon Bob Lincoln, 30, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and resident of Breadsprings, N.M., was today sentenced to a staggering 37-month federal prison term for involuntary manslaughter in relation to a drunk-driving tragedy.

Lincoln’s sentence also includes three years of supervised release, following his conviction stemming from a March 20, 2016, crash that left one Navajo man dead on the McKinley County Reservation. The court heard how Lincoln was driving under the influence of alcohol when he caused the fatal accident.

The saga began in March 2016 when Lincoln was initially arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter following the tragic incident. His arrest marked a somber day for the Navajo Nation community, as the nation grapples with the devastating consequences of drunk driving.

On April 26, 2016, Lincoln faced formal charges, but his fate took a critical turn on October 5, 2016, when he entered a guilty plea to involuntary manslaughter without the aid of a plea agreement.

This case was no small feat for law enforcement. It was jointly investigated by the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Spindle took the lead in prosecuting the case, ensuring that justice was served.

Lincoln’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of impaired driving. The Navajo Nation community and the broader public will now have to come to terms with this tragedy and reflect on the importance of safety and responsibility on the road.