Derick Lee Myron, 46, of Tuba City, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi to life in prison plus 40 years last week in Phoenix, Ariz., according to a July 22 announcement.
On April 29, Myron, an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe, shot and killed an unarmed victim and seriously injured two others on the Navajo Nation. He then stole a truck, ran over the deceased victim with it, and fled the scene. Over the following two days, Myron hid the firearm used in the crimes and evaded arrest by hiding in Moenkopi Wash. On February 6 of this year, a federal jury found him guilty on eleven counts including Second-Degree Murder, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Robbery, and Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
“Justice cannot restore a life lost to senseless violence, but it is always worth pursuing. My thoughts are with the victims of this terrible crime and their families,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine, “I am thankful for the collaborative efforts of our law enforcement partners, whose tireless work led to the conviction and sentence in this case.”
“A crime like this is heartbreaking for each victim and their families and there is no question that this sentence is just,” said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day. “The FBI takes its responsibility for investigating the most egregious crimes in Indian Country very seriously and we remain committed to aggressively pursuing justice for victims of these horrific crimes.”
The investigation was conducted jointly by the FBI Phoenix Division’s Flagstaff office and Navajo Police Department with assistance from several other agencies including Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Genevieve A. Ozark (Phoenix) and Dimitra H. Sampson (Flagstaff), District of Arizona.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona serves as part of the U.S. Department of Justice; its office consists of about 180 assistant attorneys along with support staff members who handle federal prosecutions across Arizona—including coordination with tribal communities—and advance community wellness through outreach programs, according to its official website.