Acoma Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Dwight T. Brown, 18, a member and resident of Acoma Pueblo, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to an involuntary manslaughter charge. The guilty plea was entered without the benefit of a plea agreement.

Brown was arrested on April 15, 2015, on a criminal complaint charging him with killing an Indian child on April 9, 2015, while driving under the influence of alcohol on the Acoma Pueblo in Cibola County, N.M.  During today’s hearing, Brown pled guilty to a felony information charging him with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of the victim.

At sentencing, Brown faces a statutory maximum penalty of eight years in federal prison.  Maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and the sentence imposed on Brown will be determined by the court.  A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting the case.