Mt. Pleasant Man Sentenced to Over 33 Years in Prison for Murder and Assault with the Intent to Murder on the Isabella Reservation

Bay City, MI -A Mount Pleasant man was sentenced to over 33 years in prison for murder and other assaultive crimes, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.

Johnathan Ashford, 39, was sentenced by United States District Judge Thomas L. Ludington to 400 months' imprisonment, after having pleaded guilty to murder, assault with intent to murder, and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence on July 16, 2024.

The evidence established that after having an argument with his significant other, Ashford retrieved a 9mm Taurus handgun and shot his significant other multiple times, killing her. Several of the bullets Ashford fired struck a 6-month-old child who his significant other was holding in her arms when he shot her. The baby suffered life threatening injuries, but survived. Both victims are Indians, and the incident occurred on the Isabella Reservation within Indian country in the Eastern District of Michigan.

"The violent actions of this defendant are appalling as he took the life of a young woman and seriously injured a 6-month old child," said United States Attorney Ison. "Our office has an unwavering commitment to holding accountable those who perpetuate violence in our tribal communities."

The case was investigated by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Police, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, Isabella County Sheriff's Department, Michigan State Police, Saginaw City Police, Buena Vista Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Roy Kranz.