Pojoaque Man Pleads Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Kyle Joseph Harney-Chee pled guilty in federal court to involuntary manslaughter. Chee, 30, of Pojoaque, and an enrolled member of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, will remain in custody pending sentencing which has not been scheduled.
According to court records, on January 16, 2021, Chee was traveling down US Highway 84/285 after consuming marijuana and alcohol. While driving, Chee became distracted by his phone and looked away from the road. While he was looking down at his phone, Chee struck a motorcycle from the rear, killing the driver. Chee immediately stopped on the side of US Highway 84/285 and called 911. Chee informed responders that he had consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana prior to operating the vehicle.
At sentencing, Chee faces up to 8 years in prison followed by a term of supervised release up to 3 years.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McGinley is prosecuting the case.
# # #
23-182