Isiah Adam Smith and Trevor Joe Begay, Murder, Arizona 2021

A horrific crime has shaken the Navajo Nation: the brutal murder of a transgender victim by two young men.

On June 11, 2021, Isiah Adam Smith, 25, and Trevor Joe Begay, 24, both of Navajo Nation, set out to 'teach a lesson' to the victim, who they had previously met online. The victim, a transgender woman, had disclosed her gender identity to the pair, and they saw fit to take matters into their own hands.

The two men lured the victim into their vehicle, taking her phone to prevent her from calling for help. They then drove her into the desert, where they beat her to death.

Smith and Begay attempted to cover up their crimes by burning their bloody clothes and the victim's cell phone. However, their plan was foiled when the victim's body was discovered the next morning by a hiker.

The FBI's Phoenix and Flagstaff Indian Country squads, along with the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations, investigated the crime. The United States Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, handled the prosecution.

Isiah Adam Smith pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder and was sentenced to 324 months in prison on July 28, 2024. Trevor Joe Begay also pleaded guilty to the same crime and was sentenced to 365 months in prison on September 23, 2024.

The case is a grim reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in rural areas where resources and support may be scarce.

Defendant:

Isiah Adam Smith (25), Trevor Joe Begay (24)

Criminal Charges:

Second Degree Murder

City and State:

Leupp, Arizona

Exact Date:

June 11, 2021 (crime date), July 28, 2024 (sentencing), September 23, 2024 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome:

Isiah Adam Smith: 324 months in prison, Trevor Joe Begay: 365 months in prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/navajo-tribal-members-sentenced-over-25-years-prison-murder-transgender-victim