A man who prosecutors said used a knife to kill another man on the Meskwaki Nation Settlement northeast of Des Moines, Iowa was convicted of second degree murder.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 21-year-old Jonathan Youngbear pleaded guilty Wednesday, January 28, 2015 to one count of second degree murder.
“In a plea agreement, Youngbear admitted that he stabbed Severn Jefferson twice in the neck and chest with a knife,” the statement said. “Youngbear further admitted that the victim bled to death as a result of the stab wounds.”
Youngbear was under the influence of alcohol and had meth in his system when the stabbing occurred, according to the statement.
Previous reports indicate that the stabbing was reported just before 5 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2014. Police said they arrived at Youngbear’s home to find 17-year-old Jefferson unresponsive and suffering from a stab wound.
Youngbear was in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending sentencing. He faces a possible maximum sentence of up to life in prison, a $250,000 fine, $100 in special assessments and five years of supervised release following any imprisonment, according to the statement.
