Navajo Nation men sentenced to more than 25 years for 2021 murder of transgender woman

Isiah Adam Smith and Trevor Joe Begay, both Navajo Nation tribal members, were sentenced to 27 and 30 years in prison for the 2021 murder of a transgender woman. The U. S. Attorney's Office announced their guilty pleas to second-degree murder, detailing the premeditated nature of the crime. They had communicated with the victim online, where she disclosed her gender identity, which prompted them to meet under false pretenses to "teach her a lesson.

" After taking her cell phone to prevent her from calling for help, they drove her into the desert and brutally assaulted her. Court records indicated that Begay attacked the victim with his hands, feet, and a metal jack handle, while Smith restrained her. Despite her attempts to escape, Smith chased her down and prevented her from fleeing. The men later attempted to destroy evidence by burning their bloody clothes and the victim's cell phone. A judge ordered their incarceration in an Arizona prison, reflecting the severity of the crime and its impact on the community.