Kevin Cavazone, Voluntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2011

Jicarilla Apache Man Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter Charge

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a shocking turn of events, Kevin Cavazone, 30, a member and resident of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, pleaded guilty this afternoon to a felony information charging him with voluntary manslaughter.

According to court filings, Cavazone killed David Cachucha, also a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, on Nov. 22, 2011, by stabbing him repeatedly in the torso. The crime took place on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation during a fight between Cavazone and the victim.

The fight began after the two men and several others had been drinking alcohol. Cavazone admitted to stabbing the victim in the torso on Nov. 22, 2011, during the altercation.

Cavazone has been in federal custody since his arrest on Nov. 28, 2011, and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque and Farmington offices of the FBI and the Jicarilla Apache Tribal Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark T. Baker.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Cavazone will be sentenced to 66 months in federal prison, followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Cavazone has been in federal custody since his arrest on Nov. 28, 2011. The court will determine the exact length of his supervised release.

The Jicarilla Apache Nation is a federally recognized tribe located in northwestern New Mexico.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of excessive drinking and the importance of de-escalation techniques in resolving conflicts.

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