Isiah Adam Smith, 25, from Leupp, Arizona, has been sentenced to 324 months in prison after pleading guilty to second degree murder. The sentencing took place on July 28 before United States District Judge Michael T. Liburdi. Smith’s co-defendant, Trevor Joe Begay, 24, of Tuba City, Arizona, also pleaded guilty to the same charge and was sentenced on September 23, 2024 by Judge Liburdi to 365 months in prison.
According to court records, the crime occurred on or about June 11, 2021. Smith and Begay murdered a transgender victim after communicating with her online. The victim had disclosed her gender identity during these conversations. Smith and Begay decided to “teach the victim a lesson.” They arranged a meeting late at night and took the victim’s cell phone when she entered their vehicle so she could not call for help. They then drove her into the desert and beat her to death.
After committing the murder, Smith and Begay tried to destroy evidence by burning their bloody clothes and the victim’s cell phone. The body was discovered by a hiker the next morning. Both defendants are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation and committed the crime within its territory.
The case was investigated by both the FBI’s Phoenix and Flagstaff Indian Country squads as well as the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. The prosecution was handled by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona in Phoenix.
“This case was investigated by the FBI’s Phoenix and Flagstaff Indian Country squads and the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.”
