Derek I. Hunt, a 28-year-old from Santa Fe, N.M., has pleaded guilty to federal misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and damaging property on Pojoaque Pueblo land, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
The plea agreement recommends Hunt serve one year of probation with 120 days in a halfway house. Hunt was charged on February 8, 2017, for his actions in August 2016, which included entering Pojoaque Pueblo land twice after being banished by the Pueblo Governor.
According to court documents, Hunt returned to the Pueblo between August 2016 and January 2017, ignoring the banishment resolution. His return culminated in a violent act on January 12, 2017, where he used a rock to damage a vehicle belonging to a Pojoaque Pueblo woman.
In court yesterday, Hunt admitted to reentering the Pueblo land and damaging the vehicle. A sentencing hearing has been delayed. The investigation was conducted by the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Pojoaque Pueblo Tribal Police Department, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas.
Hunt’s guilty plea comes as a significant victory for the Pojoaque Pueblo in enforcing its tribal laws, demonstrating that violations on indigenous lands will not be taken lightly.
This case underscores the commitment of federal and tribal law enforcement to protect sovereign territory and ensure justice for all. The community hopes this resolution sets a precedent for future enforcement actions against those who disregard indigenous land rights.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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