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Navajo Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault Charges in New Mexico
A 24-year-old Navajo man has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and assault charges in a federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Joshua Rakestraw, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Farmington, N.M., admitted to killing a Navajo woman and seriously injuring a Navajo man on October 28, 2014. According to court filings, Rakestraw committed the crimes while under the influence of alcohol in Indian Country in San Juan County, N.M.
At the time of the incident, Rakestraw was driving his truck at Morgan Lake, south of Kirtland, N.M. He ran over the victims with his vehicle, resulting in the death of one and several injuries to the other, including a dislocated hip and a broken rib.
Rakestraw has been in federal custody since his arrest on November 3, 2014. He will be sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by up to three years of supervised release. The sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
The case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shammara Henderson is prosecuting the case.
Rakestraw’s guilty plea marks a significant development in the case, which has been ongoing since his arrest. The charges against him carry serious consequences, and his sentence reflects the severity of the crimes he committed.
As the case moves forward, the community is left to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic incident. The Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and local authorities will continue to work together to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for such crimes are held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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