Navajo man pleads guilty to second degree murder in Indian Country

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Simeon Atcitty, 38, of Shiprock, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court today to second degree murder in Indian Country.

            A grand jury indicted Atcitty on Sept. 10, 2020. According to the indictment and other court records, on or about June 19, 2020, Atcitty had been drinking with the victim, identified as John Doe, at Atcitty’s home in San Juan County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Atcitty was angered by something Doe said and struck Doe in the head and the chest until Doe was seriously injured and was no longer moving. Atcitty then wrapped up Doe’s body and left the home. Law enforcement discovered Doe’s body about a week later.

            Atcitty is currently in custody pending sentencing.  He faces up to life in prison. 

            The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall is prosecuting the case.