A federal jury in Albuquerque has found Zebadiah Romero, 37, guilty on all charges related to the October 2023 murder of a Taos Pueblo man. The verdict was delivered after a weeklong trial and less than a day of jury deliberation.
Evidence presented during the trial showed that Romero, who is not Native American, shot and killed John Doe, an enrolled member of the Taos Pueblo, inside Doe’s residence on tribal land. At the time of the incident, Romero had previously been evicted and banned from Taos Pueblo. The victim’s body was discovered several days later by officers from the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety conducting a welfare check. Officers followed a blood trail from the bedroom to an adjacent abandoned structure where they found John Doe’s body wrapped in bedding and concealed under other items. The Office of the Medical Investigator determined that death resulted from a single gunshot wound to the back of the head.
During trial proceedings, prosecutors introduced surveillance footage, witness accounts, and forensic evidence placing Romero with John Doe early on October 30. Additional video showed Romero driving John Doe’s truck in both Taos and Albuquerque shortly after the killing while disposing of evidence. Testimony also indicated that Romero returned to move and hide John Doe’s body after committing the crime.
Jurors listened to recordings of FBI interviews with Romero following his arrest in February 2024. In these interviews, Romero gave inconsistent statements about what happened but ultimately admitted to shooting John Doe and removing evidence such as the spent bullet casing and firearm from the scene. Trial evidence further established that Romero—who has prior felony convictions—illegally possessed a firearm used in the crime and later disposed of it. He also admitted to stealing and getting rid of John Doe's truck.
The jury convicted Romero on charges including first-degree murder, using and carrying a firearm during a violent crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and larceny involving theft of the victim's vehicle. Sentencing will follow; he faces mandatory life imprisonment.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “The verdict came after a weeklong trial and less than a day of deliberation.” Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge at the FBI Albuquerque Field Office joined Ellison in announcing the outcome.
The case was investigated by agents from the Santa Fe Resident Agency of FBI Albuquerque Field Office with support from local law enforcement agencies including Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety and Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jesse E. Pecoraro and Mark A. Probasco prosecuted.
