A Taos man has been sentenced to life in federal prison for the 2019 murders of two members of the Taos Pueblo. Joshua Gonzales, 39, was convicted in June 2025 by a federal jury on two counts of second-degree murder after an eight-day trial.
Court documents and evidence presented at trial revealed that Gonzales, who is not Native American, killed John Doe 1 and his father, John Doe 2—both enrolled members of the Taos Pueblo—inside John Doe 1’s home. Gonzales used a wooden table leg to repeatedly strike both victims, causing severe head injuries and multiple skull fractures. Afterward, he dragged their bodies inside the residence, stacked them together, and hid them under rolled wire fencing. The bodies were found two days later when family members reported the men missing.
Investigators used surveillance video, forensic evidence, and cell phone records to establish a timeline of events surrounding the murders and Gonzales’s actions afterward. Surveillance footage showed John Doe 2 arriving at the residence shortly before the killings. Minutes later, video captured John Doe 2’s pickup truck being driven erratically around the property before crashing into nearby trees—a pattern consistent with Gonzales attempting to flee. The truck was later discovered abandoned.
Extensive blood evidence, vehicle tracks, damaged fencing, and bone fragments were documented at the scene by investigators. Cell phone data showed that Gonzales had one of the victim’s phones on him the morning after the murders and began using a new phone soon after.
Witnesses further connected Gonzales to the crime. A family member testified that he was last seen with John Doe 1 and had access to a spare key for the residence. She also stated that Gonzales tried to create a false alibi and threatened her with death if she spoke to authorities. Other witnesses recounted admissions from Gonzales about his involvement in the killings and how he concealed the bodies—details that matched physical evidence found at the scene.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “There is no parole in the federal system.”
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office—with assistance from local law enforcement agencies such as Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Indian Affairs, New Mexico State Police, Espanola Police Department, Taos Police Department, Taos County Sheriff’s Department, and Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark A. Probasco and Samuel A. Hurtado prosecuted this case.
