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A Taos Pueblo man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for the November 2021 killing of DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo, a Taos Pueblo woman, during a domestic-violence incident that occurred within tribal jurisdiction. Federal sentencing does not permit parole.
Santiago Martinez, 33, received the sentence in U.S. District Court following a guilty plea to voluntary manslaughter entered on March 28, 2025. Upon completion of his custodial sentence, Martinez will be subject to three years of supervised release under federal oversight.
According to court records, the killing occurred in the early morning hours of November 13, 2021, outside the couple’s shared residence on Taos Pueblo. Investigators determined that Martinez and Suazo had been listening to music when Suazo reiterated her intent to end their romantic relationship, a position she had expressed previously. The discussion escalated into a physical confrontation.
During the altercation, Martinez forcibly removed Suazo’s gauge earring, causing injury, and pushed her from her vehicle. Instead of disengaging or seeking assistance, Martinez entered the driver’s seat of Suazo’s SUV, placed the vehicle in gear, and intentionally struck her. Evidence presented in court established that Martinez then contacted family members rather than emergency services, delaying medical response and eliminating any meaningful opportunity for life-saving intervention.
Medical findings concluded that Suazo died from mechanical asphyxia and blunt force trauma consistent with being run over by a vehicle. Martinez later acknowledged that although he had consumed alcohol, he understood his actions and knew they were wrong.
The case fell under federal jurisdiction due to the location of the offense and the status of the individuals involved. It was investigated by the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, through its Santa Fe Resident Agency, with assistance from the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety. Federal prosecutors emphasized that the deliberate nature of the act and the failure to seek immediate medical assistance were central factors in sentencing considerations.
The sentence was announced by Ryan Ellison, Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary C. Jones and Nora Wilson.
Beyond the criminal proceedings, DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo is remembered as a Diné and Taos Pueblo artist whose work centered on Indigenous identity, resilience, and strength. Her art was exhibited nationally, including at the IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts. In 2022, the Institute of American Indian Arts established the DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo Memorial Fund to support Indigenous women artists, preserving her legacy and cultural impact.
Federal authorities reiterated that domestic violence cases within tribal communities remain a priority area of enforcement due to elevated risk factors, jurisdictional complexity, and historically high victimization rates. The case underscores the lethal consequences of intimate partner violence and the role of coordinated federal and tribal law enforcement in addressing violent crime within sovereign tribal lands.
This case is now closed following sentencing.
DeAnna’s pictures, paintings, and her book, as displayed in Court. Images: FBI
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Any way you look at it this is a sad case. DeAnna appears to have been very talented. I’m sure she will be missed. I know ten years is a long time but it doesn’t seem like justice in this case.
Thank you for this article.
You’re welcome, Chris — it is undeniably a tragic case, and DeAnna’s loss is deeply felt, especially given the talent and promise she carried. Sentencing in cases like this often leaves a sense of imbalance, because no term can truly account for the life taken or the impact on those left behind. What remains essential is that the crime was formally recognized, accountability was imposed within the bounds of the law, and her life and legacy were not reduced to a statistic. I appreciate you taking the time to read and reflect. Thanks again, Chris. I hope you have a great night. 😎
You’re welcome, John, and thank you for this reply. I can see why DeAnna’s loss is deeply felt. As you stated, this crime was formally recognized and that accountability was imposed within the bounds of the law. I’m sure there are many like me that think he may have gotten off easy but hopefully 10 years will help him rethink the committing of any violent crime in the future.
Thanks again, John, and I hope you have a great day! 🙂