Trial delayed for Zuni man accused of kidnapping, assaulting woman in barn

Michael Clubfoot is accused of holding a woman at gunpoint over a missing truck in 2024, but he likely won't get his trial until at least 2027.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (CN) — Despite telling the courtroom that the case was the oldest on her docket, a New Mexico federal judge granted a request to delay trial over a violent kidnapping and assault of a woman on Zuni reservation land.Originally scheduled for Dec. 14, Michael Clubfoot’s trial won’t happen this year, after U.S. District Judge Kea Riggs, a Donald Trump appointee, granted a 90-day continuance.Susan Burgess-Farrell of Burgess and Porter Law, Clubfoot’s defense, initially requested a 60-day continuance, citing pretrial preparation and plea negotiations.Burgess-Farrell did not appear in court Tuesday. Barry Porter, of the same firm, told Riggs that Burgess-Farrell was in Texas with a family emergency. He suspected this played into the requested length of time, he said.Beyond Burgess-Farrell’s own schedule, Porter told the court that the case was “complex.” Burgess-Farrell likely needed the time to review new DNA evidence, look over Clubfoot’s co-defendants’ testimonies and continue plea negotiations, he said.“This case is pretty close to resolution with a plea agreement,” Porter said. The government offered Clubfoot a plea deal on Oct. 7.Clubfoot, 45, faces six counts, including kidnapping in Indian Country, assault with a dangerous weapon and firearm charges, stemming from a May 2024 kidnapping and severe beating of a woman alongside two co-defendants.Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva Fontanez did not argue against the motion.Clubfoot’s co-defendants, Carlyn Calavaza, 41, andAlexis Mahooty, 40, accepted plea agreements in 2025 to their charges of kidnapping in Indian Country and aiding and abetting.Clubfoot, Calavaza and Mahooty are accused of kidnapping Jane Doe on May 18, 2024. Doe reportedly arrived at Clubfoot’s residence that day, where Clubfoot told her to “get in” and proceeded to question her on the location of Calavaza’s truck.According to prosecutors, Clubfoot “wailed” on and threatened Doe, assaulting her while awaiting Calavaza’s arrival. During the assault, Clubfoot reportedly pointed a handgun at Doe’s face and hit her on the head with it several times.“Clubfoot kept the gun in his hand throughout the rest of the incident,” prosecutors write in the complaint.Mahooty, who later arrived at Clubfoot’s residence, was also accused of assaulting Doe. Calavaza questioned Doe about the truck, which she said she knew nothing about. Calavaza then reportedly tied her up, after which Doe lost consciousness and later awoke to taillights.“The group told her if she wants to keep her friends and family safe then she won’t say who had attacked her and she should keep her mouth shut,” prosecutors write.The following morning, a rancher found Doe in his barn. He took Doe to the hospital and reported the incident to the Zuni Police Department, prosecutors say.Investigators located Doe’s necklace, a receipt matching Doe’s card number and a BB gun with blood stains on May 19.Clubfoot was arrested on outstanding warrants on May 20, and Calavaza and Mahooty were arrested on charges of conspiracy to conceal a fugitive the same day.Calavaza and Mahooty are awaiting sentencing on their pleas. Calavaza’s date is set for Jan. 25, 2027. The court vacated Mahooty’s date from June and has not yet reset it. They both face up to life in prison for their charges.Clubfoot was arraigned on Dec. 20, 2024, and has remained in federal custody since.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads