ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Navajo Nation man is facing a federal second-degree murder charge after prosecutors allege he fatally beat his father with a baseball bat before moving and abandoning the victim’s body on the Navajo Nation.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, David Barney, 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his father, identified in court documents as John Doe.
According to court documents, investigators allege the killing occurred sometime between December 28, 2024, and January 14, 2025, when Barney struck Doe in the head with a baseball bat, causing fatal injuries.
Federal prosecutors allege that after the attack, Barney wrapped the victim’s body in blankets, placed it into a wheelbarrow, and transported it to a nearby location where he left the body.
Authorities said the victim’s family discovered the body on February 1, 2025, prompting a homicide investigation.
The case falls under federal jurisdiction because the alleged offense occurred in Indian Country, where certain major crimes involving enrolled tribal members are prosecuted under federal law through the Major Crimes Act.
Barney has been charged with second-degree murder and remains in federal custody pending trial. A trial date has not yet been scheduled.
If convicted, Barney faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced the charge.
The investigation is being conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.
Federal authorities emphasized that the charge is an allegation. David Barney is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Thank you for sharing this report. It presents a tragic and deeply disturbing case while maintaining an important reminder that criminal charges are allegations until proven in court. I also appreciate the way you included details about the investigative process and the agencies involved, giving readers a clearer understanding of how such cases are handled under federal jurisdiction.
You’re very welcome, and thank you very much for your thoughtful comment.
I appreciate you pointing that out. One of the responsibilities of reporting on active criminal cases is presenting the facts that are available while also respecting the legal principle that every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. That’s an important distinction, and it’s one we strive to maintain consistently.
I’m also glad the additional information about federal jurisdiction and the investigative process was helpful. Understanding why certain cases are prosecuted federally and how multiple agencies work together often provides important context beyond the initial headlines.
Thank you again for taking the time to read the article and to share your thoughts. Your comments are always greatly appreciated. 😎