In a disturbing case in New Mexico, a woman named Kendra Panteah pleaded guilty to kidnapping a man identified only as John Doe in July 2019. Although Panteah did not physically harm or kill the victim, she was involved in the incident where the man was locked in a trunk and fatally stabbed by another man, Gilbert John Jr., after he tried to escape. Panteah and John were under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the killing. After stabbing the victim, John set his car on fire to cover up the crime.
According to Panteah’s plea agreement, she was driving with others in the victim’s car when he was put in the trunk after causing a disturbance while not driving. They drove to a remote location, where John repeatedly stabbed the victim with a machete after he broke out of the trunk. Panteah claimed that John also wanted her to stab the victim, but she refused.
Panteah faces a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 18 years in prison when she is sentenced on January 27. Her defense attorney, Erlinda Johnson, attributed the tragic events to substance abuse issues in Native American communities. Johnson described Panteah as a “kind woman” influenced by drugs and alcohol during the incident. The case highlights the devastating impact of substance abuse on Native American communities and serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of drug and alcohol addiction.
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