Brian Tony, Voluntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2016

Gallup Man Sentenced to 17 Years for Voluntary Manslaughter

A Navajo Nation member has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for his role in a brutal killing. On May 8, 2016, 51-year-old Brian Tony, of Gallup, New Mexico, picked up a victim and a friend from a residence in Gallup, accompanied by his brother and his girlfriend.

According to court records, while at the residence, Tony retrieved a hammer and placed it in his vehicle. The group then drove to a location called ‘Superman Canyon,’ where the victim was killed out of sight of the other passengers.

An autopsy revealed that the victim had been stabbed repeatedly in the head and neck and had blunt-force trauma wounds on his head. A federal jury convicted Tony of voluntary manslaughter on March 10, 2022.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and FBI Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda announced the sentencing, which includes 17 years and 6 months in prison for Tony.

The case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Spindle and Nicholas J. Marshall are prosecuting the case.

Navajo Nation member Brian Tony has been held accountable for his role in a senseless killing. His lengthy prison sentence serves as a reminder that violence will not be tolerated in our communities.

For more information, please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Violent Crime

Kathleen Joy Yallup, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Washington 2021

Aug 24, 2021

Violent Crime

Sarmiento Charged with Violent Crime, Maryland, 2021

Nov 10, 2021

Violent Crime

Barrera Vasquez, Multi-State Violent Crimes, Vermont 2023

Jul 1, 2024

Violent Crime

Thomas Hetrick, Armed Bank Robbery, Pennsylvania 2018

Dec 3, 2018