Albuquerque, NM — In a harrowing turn of events involving drugs, kidnapping, and a fatal stabbing, a New Mexico woman admitted to her role in a series of crimes that culminated in the death of a man originally abducted in July 2019. Kendra Panteah, 37, entered a guilty plea last week to one count of kidnapping not resulting in death, according to federal prosecutors.
Panteah’s involvement, while not extending to committing the murder herself, included being present at the violent act orchestrated by Gilbert John Jr., who later received a 21-year prison term for second-degree murder, following his own guilty plea.
The sequence of events leading to the tragedy began under the influence of methamphetamine, a detail shared by both Panteah and legal authorities. Her attorney pointed out her longstanding struggles with substance abuse, underlining the complex backdrop of addiction in which the crime was set.
On the fateful day, following a dangerous attempt by the victim, referred to as John Doe, to control the vehicle they were traveling in, Panteah, along with other occupants, responded by assaulting him and locking him in the trunk of the car. The journey continued to Gallup, New Mexico, with the victim trapped and unseen.
It was revealed that Panteah, needing assistance, approached John, who by then played a primary role in the ensuing violence. Together, they proceeded towards Bass Lake in the Navajo Nation, drinking alcohol and continuing drug use along the way.
At Bass Lake, the bound victim attempted to break free, only to be met with repeated stabs by John using a machete. Prosecutors disclosed that despite pressure from John, Panteah refused to participate in stabbing the victim. However, other violent acts against the man, including a thrown rock hitting his head, were noted in John’s admittance during his plea.
The grim narrative concluded with John and Panteah sitting atop the car trunk until they were certain the victim inside had succumbed. The body was later transported to a remote location and the vehicle was set ablaze, an attempt by John to erase evidence of the crime.
Set for sentencing on January 27, Panteah faces a prison term ranging from a minimum of ten years to a possible eighteen. The case has shed light on broader issues of drug and alcohol addiction, particularly within Native American communities. Both Panteah, who is Zuni, and John, who is Navajo, have referred to their indigenous identities in their plea agreements.
Erlinda Johnson, Panteah’s attorney, reflected on the tragic nature of the case, suggesting that substance abuse was a significant factor. She emphasized that sobriety might have prevented the fatal sequence of events, pinpointing the broader societal issues at play.
This case highlights a stark reminder of the harrowing consequences of substance abuse and the interplay of personal struggle with criminal behavior, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by communities grappling with these issues.