PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jared Josh John, 32, of Chinle, Arizona, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for his involvement in a brutal kidnapping and assault that left a man fighting for his life. U.S. District Judge Diane J. Humetewa handed down the sentence on September 11, 2024. John will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
After a jury trial in May 2023, John was convicted on multiple charges, including Carjacking, Kidnapping, Robbery, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, Assault with Intent to Commit Murder, Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony, and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
The attack took place in July 2020, when the victim, passing through the Navajo Nation on a road trip, was ambushed by John and a co-defendant while resting in his car. John led the assault, driving the victim into the desert and slitting his throat three times, leaving him for dead. Miraculously, the victim survived by pretending to be dead until the attackers left. He then used his clothing to create a makeshift tourniquet for his neck and sought help.
John’s co-defendant, Everickk Matthew Begay, 55, also of Chinle, pleaded guilty to charges of Kidnapping, Robbery, and Assault with Intent to Commit a Felony earlier this year. Begay received a sentence of 97 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Navajo Division of Public Safety. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alanna R. Kennedy and Tracy Van Buskirk of the District of Arizona in Phoenix.
