Smith & Begay Get Decades for Brutal Transgender Murder

PHOENIX, AZ – Justice, though slow, arrived this week for the victim of a senseless act of brutality on the Navajo Nation. Isiah Adam Smith, 25, of Leupp, Arizona, was sentenced to 324 months in federal prison on July 28th by U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi after admitting guilt in the second-degree murder. His accomplice, Trevor Joe Begay, 24, of Tuba City, Arizona, received an even harsher sentence of 365 months on September 23, 2024, also handed down by Judge Liburdi.

The facts are chilling. On or about June 11, 2021, Smith and Begay lured the victim – a transgender woman – to her death, motivated by hate and a twisted desire to “teach her a lesson.” The pair had established online communication with the victim, learning of her transgender identity before plotting the attack. They arranged a late-night meeting, deceptively offering a ride, then immediately seized her phone, cutting off any hope of a distress call.

What followed was a descent into barbarity. Smith and Begay drove the victim deep into the desert, where they subjected her to a brutal beating, ultimately resulting in her death. The perpetrators then attempted a clumsy cover-up, burning their blood-soaked clothing and the victim’s confiscated phone in a desperate bid to erase evidence of their crime. Their efforts proved futile.

The victim’s body was discovered the following morning by a hiker, bringing the horrific details of the crime to light. Both Smith and Begay are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, adding another layer of complexity to the case. The FBI’s Phoenix and Flagstaff Indian Country squads, alongside the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations, worked tirelessly to build a case against the two men.

The prosecution, handled by the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, presented a damning case that ultimately led to the guilty pleas and significant prison terms. While nothing can bring the victim back, the lengthy sentences send a clear message that violence against the transgender community – and any form of hate-fueled murder – will not be tolerated. This case underscores the urgent need for continued vigilance and advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Case Number: CR-23-8104-PCT-MTL. Release Number: 2025-127_Smith, et al. For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/. Follow them on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest updates.