Crownpoint Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Involuntary Manslaughter Charge Involving the Death of a Child

ALBUQUERQUE – Sherie Rena Pete, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Iyanbito, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning to a felony information charging her with involuntary manslaughter.

Pete was arrested on May 14, 2013, on a criminal complaint charging her with involuntary manslaughter based on a single motor vehicle crash on May 5, 2013, in Iyanbito, which is located on the Navajo Indian Reservation that resulted in the death of a three-year old child.  Two other individuals were injured as a result of the crash. 

In her plea agreement, Pete admitted killing the victim while driving under the influence of alcohol.  Pete admitted that she had been drinking alcohol before driving her vehicle off the roadway, overcorrecting, and flipping the vehicle one and a half times.

Pete has been in federal custody since her arrest and remains detained pending her sentencing hearing.  At sentencing, Pete faces up to eight years in federal prison and will be required to pay restitution to the victims of her criminal conduct.

This case was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob A. Wishard.