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Navajo Man from Farmington Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter Charge
A 52-year-old man from Farmington, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to an involuntary manslaughter charge. Thomas J. Yazzie, Jr., an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, admitted to killing the victim by driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol on the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County, New Mexico.
According to court documents, Yazzie was arrested on February 7, 2017, on an indictment charging him with involuntary manslaughter. The indictment alleged that Yazzie killed the victim with his vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol on May 10, 2016.
Yazzie, 52, entered a guilty plea to the indictment, admitting that the alcohol rendered him incapable of exercising clear judgment and a steady hand in operating the vehicle. He acknowledged that his actions were reckless and led to the victim’s death.
At sentencing, Yazzie faces a maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Yazzie’s guilty plea was made in federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI, the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, and the New Mexico State Police.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy. Yazzie’s guilty plea marks a significant development in a case that has left the community shaken.
Yazzie’s sentencing hearing will determine his fate. Until then, the community will continue to grapple with the consequences of his actions.
The investigation and prosecution of Yazzie’s case highlight the ongoing struggle to combat impaired driving on Native American reservations.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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