COLORADO RIVER MAN INDICTED FOR SECOND-DEGREE MURDER

PHOENIX – Yesterday, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a three-count indictment against Loren Kaysang Tahbo, 33, of Parker, Ariz., and a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, for second-degree murder and two counts of assault.

The indictment alleges that on Aug. 10, 2012, Tahbo stabbed and ultimately killed a man on the Colorado River Indian Tribes Indian reservation. The indictment also alleges that Tahbo stabbed the victim in a residence prior to killing him in a second location. Tahbo is currently being held in tribal custody and will be transferred into federal custody.

A conviction for second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. Convictions for assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado River Indian Tribes Police Department. The prosecution is being handled by Jennifer E. Green, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:                   CR-12-1773-PHX-FJM
RELEASE NUMBER:            2012-212(Tahbo)

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az