Colorado Indian Tribal Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison in Shaken Baby Case

PHOENIX—On June 4, 2012, Jerrod Darrell Aspa, 22, of Parker, Arizona, a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone to 120 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Aspa pleaded guilty on February 28, 2012 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury to a child under 18.

According to the plea agreement, on June 7, 2011, Aspa was at his home with two children when he became angry, picked up a 4-month-old child, and shook the child multiple times. The shaking caused the child’s head to rapidly rock back and forth. Aspa left the room and returned approximately 15 minutes later. When he returned, he found the child in physical distress. Aspa panicked and attempted to feed and place water on the child, but the child did not respond. The child was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Doctors who examined the victim concluded that the victim’s injuries were consistent with severe shaking. As a result of this incident, the victim is profoundly physically and mentally disabled.

The investigation in this case was conducted by Colorado River Indian Tribal Police, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Dyanne Greer and Jennifer Green, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.