Related Federal Cases
Fort Mojave Man Gets 35 Years for Murder, Abuse
PHOENIX – In a shocking turn of events, Matthew Smith, a 31-year-old man from Mohave Valley, Arizona, has been sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release. The court also ordered Smith to pay $250,193 in restitution.
Smith pleaded guilty on August 15, 2013, to second-degree murder, child abuse, and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Between July 8 and July 11, 2012, on the Fort Mojave Indian reservation, Smith punched his step-child in the abdomen and assaulted the child multiple times.
The child died due to multiple blunt force traumas and other injuries. During the same period, Smith also assaulted another of his step-children and left the child for approximately two days without food or water. The second child was hospitalized for a significant period of time and survived but sustained serious permanent injuries.
Investigations revealed that Smith’s other child had a visibly distorted arm, which was determined to be the result of Smith assaulting the child and breaking the child’s arm.
The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Mojave Police Department. The prosecution was handled by Jennifer E. Green and Sharon K. Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
Smith’s sentence is a stark reminder of the severity of violence against children. The case serves as a warning to those who would harm the most vulnerable members of society.
For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/.
Case number: CR-12-8195-PCT-PGR. Release number: 2014-006_Smith.
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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