Datil Man Pleads Guilty to Retaliating Against a Federal Employee

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A resident of Datil has entered a guilty plea in federal court for retaliating against a federal employee by knowingly submitting a fraudulent notice of lien against their property, claiming an amount of $20 million.

As part of his plea agreement, Trapper Killsmany, formerly known as David Goldsmith, age 56, acknowledged that he had filed a deceitful notice of lien with the Catron County Clerk's Office targeting the properties owned by employees of the United States Social Security Administration. This action was taken as a response to these employees carrying out their official duties. The notice of lien was false because the individuals listed as debtors had no financial connection or obligation to Killsmany, and therefore did not owe him any debt or other form of obligation.

Before, Killsmany had submitted deceptive liens in Alaska, alleging that seven federal workers owed him a staggering $950 million in compensation. While he wasn't criminally prosecuted for his fraudulent liens, the United States took legal action against Killsmany and secured a default judgment in a federal court. This verdict barred him from filing any more liens without obtaining prior approval from the court.

The Court has issued an order for Killsmany to be held in custody until the sentencing, which has yet to be determined.

Killsmany could potentially receive a 10-year prison sentence during the sentencing phase. Once he is released from prison, Killsmany will be placed under supervision for a period of up to three years. This announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, who serves as the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.

The case was investigated by the Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Catron County Sheriff's Office and the Social Security Administration. The prosecution of the case is being conducted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ry Ellison.