Arizona man sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country

U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of New Mexico
16 December 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Maroquez Clah, 29, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Red Valley, Arizona, was sentenced in federal court on Dec. 15 to 37 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter. Clah was also ordered to pay restitution of $4,500.

Clah previously pleaded guilty to this offense on Sept. 21. In his plea agreement, Clah admitted that on Aug. 30, 2019, he was driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol, which resulted in the death of the passenger in his vehicle. The single-car incident occurred on Navajo Route 13 in Red Valley.

The FBI and the Navajo Division of Public Safety investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson prosecuted the case.

Press Release Number:
20-239