PHOENIX - Today, Sanjay Nelson, 25, of Chinle, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for recklessly killing a man on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. Nelson had previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
The incident occurred on May 1, 2017, when Nelson’s sawed-off shotgun accidentally discharged as the victim was handing the firearm back to Nelson. The victim died as a result of injuries sustained from the gunshot wound. Both Nelson and the victim were enrolled member of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Christine Ducat Keller, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.
CASE NUMBER: CR-17-8312-PHX-JJT
RELEASE NUMBER: 2018-086_Nelson
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
