Kayenta Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years for Second Degree Murder

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Joshua John Todecheene, 30, of Kayenta, Arizona, was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa to 17.5 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Todecheene previously pleaded guilty to second degree murder.  

In February 2020, after an argument with the victim, Todecheene left the scene of the argument, returned with a rifle, and shot the victim in the chest, killing him. Todecheene and the victim are members of the Navajo Nation.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kiyoko Patterson, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER:           CR-20-8038-PCT-DJH   
RELEASE NUMBER:    2022-030_Todecheene

# # #

For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.