Beclabito Man Charged with Causing the Death of a Minor by Serving Her Liquor

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ALBUQUERQUE—Stanford Benally, 41, amember of the Navajo Nation who resides in Beclabito, New Mexico, made hisinitial appearance in Albuquerque federal court on a two-count indictmentcharging him with (1) second-degree murder, and (2) involuntary manslaughter.Benally, who was arrested yesterday by the FBI, remains in custody pending adetention hearing and arraignment on September 13, 2012.
Count one of the indictment, thesecond-degree murder charge, alleges that on May 19, 2012, Benally caused thedeath of a minor female by serving her liquor and failing to provide care andseek medical attention for the minor in a manner that evinced a callous andwanton disregard for human life. Count two, the involuntary manslaughtercharge, alleges that, on that same date, Benally deposited the unconscious andintoxicated minor on her bedroom floor without providing care and seekingmedical assistance in a manner that was grossly negligent and with a wanton andreckless disregard for human life. According to the indictment, the offensesoccurred in Indian Country in San Juan County, New Mexico.
If convicted of the murder charge,Benally faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. If convicted of theinvoluntary manslaughter charge, he faces a maximum penalty of eight years ofimprisonment.
The case was investigated by theFarmington office of the FBI, with assistance from the Shiprock Division of theNavajo Nation Department of Public Safety, and is being prosecuted by AssistantU.S. Attorney Jack E. Burkhead.