Acoma Pueblo Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Voluntary Manslaughter and Firearms Charges
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a shocking turn of events, Darius L. James, a 41-year-old enrolled member and resident of Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his conviction on voluntary manslaughter and firearms charges. James will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
The charges stem from an altercation that took place on July 24, 2017, on the Acoma Pueblo Indian Reservation in Cibola County, New Mexico. According to the complaint, James found the victim hidden in a bedroom closet in his residence. As the victim fled the scene, James followed him into a nearby field and fired several shots, hitting the victim three times and killing him.
At the time, James was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was a convicted felon. The incident sparked a thorough investigation by the Albuquerque office of the FBI, the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA Office of Justice Services, and the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Police Department.
On January 11, 2018, James pled guilty to a felony information charging him with voluntary manslaughter and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. In entering the guilty plea, James admitted that on July 24, 2017, he shot the victim with a rifle. James acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was a convicted felon, and agreed to forfeit his firearms and ammunition.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall prosecuted the case. The defendant’s actions have sent shockwaves throughout the community, leaving many to wonder how such a heinous crime could occur.
As James begins his 15-year prison sentence, the community is left to mourn the loss of the victim and to reflect on the senseless violence that has plagued our nation. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violent crime and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Darius L. James, 41, Defendant
Voluntary Manslaughter and Brandishing a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, Criminal Charges
Albuquerque, New Mexico, Location of Crime and Sentencing
July 24, 2017, Date of Crime
15 years in prison, Sentence
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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