Bronston Begay, Vehicle Theft, Arizona 2024

Vehicle Theft Duo Sentenced to Prison

A pair of men from the Navajo Nation has been sentenced to prison for their roles in a brazen vehicle theft on the reservation. Bronston Begay, 32, was handed a 36-month sentence, which will be followed by three years of supervised release for his part in the crime. In addition to the initial sentence, Begay received an additional eight months for violating his supervised release. His co-defendant, 19-year-old Zachary Wyatt Bahe, was sentenced to 24 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

The incident unfolded on July 27, 2017, when the defendants, along with two other accomplices, were hitchhiking on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. After being picked up by the victim, Bahe pulled a fake gun on the driver, and Begay drove the vehicle away from the scene, leading law enforcement on high-speed chases in both Arizona and New Mexico before being apprehended.

Law enforcement officials reported that both defendants are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. The investigation into the crime was led by the Navajo Nation Police Department, with the prosecution being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christine Ducat Keller.

The case, which has been ongoing for years, has finally come to a close with the sentencing of the two defendants. The harsh sentences handed down by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi serve as a stark reminder of the seriousness of the crime and the consequences that follow.

The vehicle theft was just the beginning of the ordeal for the defendants, as Begay’s decision to violate his supervised release added an additional layer of complexity to the case. The severity of the sentences reflects the gravity of the situation, and it is hoped that it will serve as a deterrent to others who would consider committing similar crimes.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, has released a statement regarding the sentencing, which can be found on their website, along with information on their social media channels. The case number for the incident is CR-17-8190-PCT-JJT, and the release number is 2018-087_Begay_Bahe.

Case Details:

Case Number: CR-17-8190-PCT-JJT

Release Number: 2018-087_Begay_Bahe

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, please visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ and follow them on Twitter at @USAO_AZ.

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