Maricopa, Arizona Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Lying to Law Enforcement Officials About a Crime

PHOENIX—Jeremy Zepeda, 23, of the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation in Maricopa, Ariz., was sentenced today to three years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver. Zepeda pleaded guilty on March 26, 2009 to Misprision of a Felony involving an aggravated assault committed by his brother.

On October 25, 2008, Jeremy Zepeda and his two brothers and co-defendants, Damian Zepeda and Matthew Zepeda, went to a home on the Ak-Chin Indian Reservation. Damian Zepeda was upset because his former girlfriend was going to get a tattoo on her chest. Damian confronted the former girlfriend and hit her on the head with a gun. The tattoo artist came out of the home and Damian Zepeda shot him several times in the back. The victim suffered gunshots from a shotgun and pistol and was hospitalized.

Jeremy Zepeda, who was with his brothers at the time of the shooting, was interviewed about his knowledge of the offense and lied to law enforcement officials in an effort to protect his brothers.

Matthew Zepeda pleaded guilty to Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Firearm in a Crime of Violence and is pending sentencing. Damian Zepeda is pending trial.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Ak-Chin Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Sharon Sexton, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-08-1329-PHX-ROS

RELEASE NUMBER: 2009-176(Zepeda)

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