Navajo Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Involuntary Manslaughter Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Rob Begay, 24, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Twin Lakes, N.M., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his involuntary manslaughter conviction. 

Begay was arrested on Dec. 2, 2015, on a criminal complaint charging him with involuntary manslaughter.   Begay was indicted on Dec. 17, 2015, and was charged with killing a Navajo woman on Nov. 28, 2015, while driving under the influence of alcohol.  According to the indictment, Begay committed the crime on the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M.

On July 26, 2016, Begay pled guilty to the indictment and admitted killing the victim by driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol.  Begay admitted that because of his intoxication he was incapable of exercising clear judgment and a steady hand in operating a vehicle.

This case was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Burkhead.