Dusty Lee Chavez, Second Degree Murder, New Mexico 2014

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - A shocking act of violence has shaken the Zuni Pueblo community as Dusty Lee Chavez, 23, a resident of Zuni Pueblo, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to a second degree murder charge in federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Nov 19, 2014, in connection with the murder of a man on Oct 28, 2014, in McKinley County, New Mexico.

According to court documents, Chavez and his co-defendant, Douglas Burt, 19, also a member and resident of Zuni Pueblo, were arrested on Nov 2014 on a criminal complaint charging them with murdering the victim. The two were subsequently indicted on murder charges on the same date.

During a change of plea hearing, Chavez pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with second degree murder. In entering the guilty plea, Chavez admitted that he and Burt instigated a fight with the victim during which Chavez and Burt took the victim to the ground and punched and kicked the victim. Chavez further admitted that he hit the victim in the head with a rock and Burt stabbed the victim in the torso.

An autopsy revealed that the victim died of blunt head trauma and stab wounds to the chest. Burt, who was also charged with the crime, pleaded guilty to a felony information on Jan 7, 2016 and admitted to his role in the murder.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Chavez will be sentenced to a range of 228 to 276 months in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. Burt will also face a sentence of 204 to 264 months in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Chavez and Burt have been in federal custody since their arrests and remain detained pending sentencing hearings, which have yet to be scheduled. The case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and the Zuni Pueblo Tribal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elaine Y. Ramirez and Kyle T. Nayback are prosecuting the case.

The brutal murder on the Zuni Indian Reservation has sent shockwaves through the community, and the guilty plea of Chavez is a step towards bringing justice to the victim's family.

The details of the crime are disturbing, and the involvement of Chavez and Burt is a stark reminder of the violence that can occur in even the most seemingly peaceful communities.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/zuni-pueblo-man-pleads-guilty-federal-murder-charge-0