Shiprock man charged with murder in Indian Country

              ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Simeon Atcitty, 38, of Shiprock, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court on Sept. 29 for a detention hearing. A federal grand jury indicted Atcitty Sept. 10 on a charge of second degree murder in Indian Country. Atcitty will remain in custody pending trial.

              According to the indictment, on or about June 19, Atcitty allegedly killed a victim, identified in court records as John Doe, in San Juan County, New Mexico.

              An indictment is only an allegation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

              The FBI Farmington Resident Agency investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.