Over five years after the death of Navajo Nation member, Zachariah Shorty, three New Mexico men have been arrested.
According to KOAT, Austin Begay, Jaymes Fage, and Joshua Watkins have been indicted on federal charges in connection with Shorty’s death.
Begay has been charged with first-degree murder, Watkins is charged with concealing a murder, and Fage is facing charges for aiding in the crime.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, a runner discovered Shorty’s body on July 25, 2020, along a dirt pathway in Nenahnezad, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. He had been shot to death.
Four days earlier, he was at the Journey Inn in Farmington, New Mexico. His mother, Vangie Randall, dropped him off at the motel to create music with friends.
Later that night, he failed to return to the motel, where he had been staying at the time. Vangie received a few calls from friends, telling her that he hadn’t returned.
AZ Central reports that Begay allegedly used a semiautomatic firearm to kill Shorty.
Both Begay and Fage are members of the Navajo Nation.
Federal agents joined the case as part of the FBI’s Operation Not Forgotten. According to Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison, the operation provides “a fresh perspective and a new look at these cases that have been pending for quite some time.”
The Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Outreach Program was also utilized to assist in the case.
“The MMIP (Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons) Regional Outreach Program was created to ensure that cases like Zachariah Shorty’s never fade into the background and to show the impact that focused federal attention can have,” Ellis said.
During CrimeCon Denver last year, Randall told CrimeOnline that her son’s death led her to advocate for other families who have been affected by crimes.
“I was invited by the family of Gabby Petito last year to CrimeCon in Nashville. I was on the panel with them and was able to share Zachariah’s story,” Randall said.
“I became involved with MMDRC, which is a non-profit organization, as an Advocacy Coordinator. We support families of the Missing and Murdered. Some things we’ve supported and assisted with are marches, rallies, and candlelight vigils, donating to funeral/burial costs.”
Anyone with additional information on Shorty’s case is urged to contact the FBI at 505-889-1300 or online at tips.fbi.gov.
To learn more about the case, visit the “Justice for Zachariah” Facebook page.
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[Feature Photo: FBI]
