Colorado Indian Tribal Member Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison in Shaken Baby Case

PHOENIX—On June 4, 2012, Jerrod Darrell Aspa, 22, of Parker, Arizona, a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone to 120 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Aspa pleaded guilty on February 28, 2012 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury to a child under 18.

According to the plea agreement, on June 7, 2011, Aspa was at his home with two children when he became angry, picked up a 4-month-old child, and shook the child multiple times. The shaking caused the child’s head to rapidly rock back and forth. Aspa left the room and returned approximately 15 minutes later. When he returned, he found the child in physical distress. Aspa panicked and attempted to feed and place water on the child, but the child did not respond. The child was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Doctors who examined the victim concluded that the victim’s injuries were consistent with severe shaking. As a result of this incident, the victim is profoundly physically and mentally disabled.

The investigation in this case was conducted by Colorado River Indian Tribal Police, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Dyanne Greer and Jennifer Green, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

Parker Man Indicted for Murder of 6-Month-Old Baby

PHOENIX—On January 31, 2012, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a two-count indictment against Brice Thompson Little, 21, a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, for a violation of second-degree murder of a child and assault resulting in serious bodily injury to a child.

The indictment alleges that, on March 29, 2011, while Little was living with the mother of the 6-month-old victim in Parker, Ariz., the victim was taken to the hospital with severe inflicted head injuries. After being sent to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the victim passed away there on April 13, 2011.

A conviction for second-degree murder carries a maximum penalty of 30 years to life, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Martone will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by Colorado River Indian Tribe Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Dyanne C. Greer and Jennifer Green, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.