Two Men Sentenced to Prison for Theft of Vehicle on Navajo Nation

     PHOENIX – Today, Bronston Begay, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his role in a vehicle theft on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.  Begay also received a consecutive eight-month sentence for violating his supervised release.  Earlier this month, Judge Tuchi sentenced 19-year-old co-defendant Zachary Wyatt Bahe to 24 months’ imprisonment and three years of supervised release for his role in the vehicle theft. 

     On July 27, 2017, the defendants and two others were hitchhiking on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.  After being picked up by the victim, Bahe placed a fake gun to the victim’s head as they ordered the victim out of the vehicle.  Begay then drove the vehicle away from the scene, leading law enforcement on high-speed chases in both Arizona and New Mexico before being apprehended.  Both defendants are enrolled member of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. 

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Navajo Nation Police Department.  The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:            CR-17-8190-PCT-JJT

RELEASE NUMBER:    2018-087_Begay_Bahe

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