Woman Pleads Guilty to Kidnapping Involvement in New Mexico
A woman, Kendra Panteah, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping not resulting in death on Friday in federal court in Albuquerque. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, Panteah was involved in the kidnapping of a man, who was later found dead in a trunk and fatally stabbed.
The Incident
The incident occurred in July 2019, when Panteah and another man, Gilbert John Jr., kidnapped a man, identified only as John Doe. Panteah was not the one who killed or stabbed the victim, but she was present at the scene. John Jr. was reportedly the one who fatally stabbed the victim, and he was sentenced to 21 years in prison in June after pleading guilty to second-degree murder.
The Events Leading up to the Crime
According to Panteah’s plea agreement, the events began when she, John, and others drove to Zuni, New Mexico, to buy beer. The victim, who was not driving, kept grabbing at the wheel, and the other occupants of the car beat him up. They then put him in the trunk of the car and Panteah drove to Gallup with the victim locked inside.
The Deadly Stabbing
The pair drove to Bass Lake, where the victim began to break out of the trunk. John Jr. stabbed him repeatedly with a machete, and Panteah said that John wanted her to stab the victim as well, but she refused. After the victim was stabbed, the two sat on the trunk of the car until he stopped moving.
Panteah’s Involvement
Panteah’s attorney, Erlinda Johnson, described her as a "kind woman" who was struggling with substance abuse. Johnson attributed the events of the case to drug and alcohol use, stating that the tragedy would not have occurred if everyone involved was sober.
Sentence and Outcome
Panteah faces at least 10 years in prison and up to a maximum of 18 years. Her sentencing is scheduled for January 27, 2023.
FAQs
Q: What was the role of Kendra Panteah in the kidnapping and murder?
A: Panteah was not the one who killed or stabbed the victim, but she was present at the scene of the crime.
Q: Who was responsible for the victim’s death?
A: Gilbert John Jr. was sentenced to 21 years in prison for second-degree murder.
Q: What was the motive behind the crime?
A: The exact motive is unclear, but the victims were using drugs, including methamphetamine, before the killing.
Q: What is the sentence Panteah is facing?
A: Panteah faces at least 10 years in prison and up to a maximum of 18 years.
