Laguna Man Pleads Guilty to Three Counts of Second-Degree Murder

ALBUQUERQUE – A Laguna man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges stemming from a fatal DWI crash on Laguna Pueblo in 2022 that killed three members of the same family.

In his plea agreement, Cody Allen Charlie, 37, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Acoma, admitted that on August 7, 2022, he was driving drunk, traveling at 116 miles per hour while also using his cell phone when he crashed into another vehicle on Interstate 40, near mile marker 130.

The impact caused the other vehicle to veer off the interstate, onto the shoulder where it rolled over. All three occupants of that vehicle—identified as John Doe 1, John Doe 2, and Jane Doe—were killed in the crash.

Instead of rendering aide, Charlie fled the scene on foot.

The Court ordered that Charlie remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Charlie faces between 10 and 20 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Charlie will be subject to up to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Laguna Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany DuChaussee and Zachary C. Jones are prosecuting the case.

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