Crownpoint Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Sampson Antonio, Jr., 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Crownpoint, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning to involuntary manslaughter under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Antonio was arrested in July 2012, on a criminal complaint charging him with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of a 19-year-old Navajo woman in Mariano Lake, N.M., on April 21, 2012.  Antonio subsequently was indicted and charged with driving a vehicle while intoxicated and running over the victim and causing her death. 
           
During this morning’s proceedings, Antonio pled guilty to the indictment and admitted killing the victim on April 21, 2012, while driving under the influence of alcohol and driving recklessly.

Antonio was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after entering his guilty plea and will be detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.  At sentencing, Antonio faces a maximum penalty of eight years in prison. 

            This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kyle T. Nayback and David M. Adams, and was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety.