Press Release
Jicarilla Apache Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Arising out of DWI Collision Resulting in two Deaths
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE – Isaiah Dean Trujillo, 24, a member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation who resides in Dulce, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning to a felony information charging him with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. The guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough and Chief Kendell Vicenti of the Jicarilla Apache Tribal Police Department.
Trujillo was arrested on May 6, 2013, on a criminal complaint alleging involuntary manslaughter charges arising out of a single motor vehicle collision occurring on April 24, 2013, in Dulce within the Jicarilla Apache Nation. Two women, both members of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, died as a result of injuries sustained during the collision. Trujillo, the driver of the vehicle, was intoxicated at the time of the collision.
In his plea agreement, Trujillo admitted that on April 24, 2013, he drove a vehicle in excess of 70 miles per hour on a road with a 35 mile per hour speed limit after consuming a large amount of alcohol. Trujillo further admitted that he lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle flipped over. Two of the four passengers in the vehicle were killed and the other two suffered serious injuries. Trujillo further admitted that his blood alcohol concentration was .29 following the collision.
Trujillo’s sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Trujillo will be sentenced to eight years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
This case was investigated by the Jicarilla Apache Tribal Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rozzoni.
Updated January 26, 2015
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