U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Announce Upgraded Charges Against Zuni Man After Victim Dies Following Initial Assault Case

ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man was charged by indictment with voluntary manslaughter after a confrontation at a residence in Zuni escalated into violence.

Joey Luarkie, 24, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to court records, on Feb. 4, 2024, Luarkie was at the home of Jane Doe in Zuni when her boyfriend, John Doe, arrived. Jane Doe and John Doe went outside and argued for a short time before John Doe entered the residence to get some belongings. Luarkie followed John Doe and Jane Doe into her bedroom, where a physical altercation allegedly ensued, and Luarkie allegedly stabbed John Doe in the throat.

John Doe exited the residence and collapsed in the front yard, where responding officers from the Zuni Police Department found Jane Doe performing CPR on him. John Doe was transported to Zuni Health Center before being life-flighted to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque where he underwent two emergency surgeries.

Luarkie initially faced charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury, but after John Doe died from his injuries, prosecutors upgraded the charges to voluntary manslaughter through an indictment.

If convicted, Luarkie faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. 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.

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