Law

Tohono O'odham man accused of killing seven-year-old boy





A member of the Tohono O'odham Nation who just completed a tribal court sentence has been charged with killing a seven-year-old boy in Arizona.

Alvin Valenzuela, 21, allegedly shot and killed Johnathon Federico on Saturday morning. Valenzuela was apparently firing a gun near an elementary school in Tuscon when Federico was hit.

According to KGUN9-TV, Valenzuela was released a month ago from his sentence in connection with the murders of two people on the Tohono O'odham Nation. He was not charged in federal court for the July 2007 incident.

Valenzuela was sentenced to 3.5 years. He filed a lawsuit, saying the punishment violated the Indian Civil Rights Act, which limits tribal court sentences to one year.

According to KGUN9-TV, Valenzuela lost the case. But he was released from his sentence after reaching a plea deal with the Tohono O'odham Nation.

Get the Story:
9OYS Investigates: accused child killer has violent past (KGUN9-TV 4/12)
Accused killer of 7-year-old just got out of jail (KGUN9-TV 4/12)
Witnesses: Accused gunman intentionally targeted 7-year-old (KGUN9-TV 4/11)

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