Thoreau Woman Charged with Involutory Manslaughter

ALBUQUERQUE – A Thoreau woman was charged by indictment with involuntary manslaughter.

Nora Abeita, 49, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, on May 28, 2023, Abeita was driving without due caution when she killed John Doe.

If convicted of the current charges, Abeita faces up to eight years in prison.

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

The Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.