Man Charged with Murder on Taos Pueblo

ALBUQUERQUE – A man is facing federal charges for allegedly murdering his former roommate.

Zebadiah Romero, 35, a non-Indian, appeared in federal court for an initial appearance where the Court temporarily detained him pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for April 25, 2024.

Court documents alleges that on October 30, 2023, Romero shot and killed John Doe, an enrolled member of the Taos Pueblo, in his residence on the Taos Pueblo.

Romero is charged with first degree murder and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, discharging said firearm.

If convicted, Romero faces up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Taos Pueblo Department of Safety and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Jesse Pecoraro and Mark Probasco are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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