Acoma Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Voluntary Manslaughter and Firearms Charges

ALBUQUERQUE – Darius L. James, 40, an enrolled member of Acoma Pueblo, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to voluntary manslaughter and firearms charges. 

James was arrested on Aug. 24, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with killing an Acoma Pueblo man by shooting him three times on the Acoma Pueblo Indian Reservation in Cibola County, N.M.  According to the complaint, James encountered the victim hidden in a bedroom closet in James’ residence.  As the victim fled the scene, James followed him into a nearby field and fired several shots, killing the victim.  At the time, James was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon. 

During today’s proceedings, James pled guilty to a felony information charging him with voluntary manslaughter and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.  In entering the guilty plea, James admitted that on July 24, 2017, he used a rifle to shoot the victim.  James also acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms because he was a convicted felon, and agreed to forfeit his firearms and ammunition to law enforcement. 

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.