SPOKANE, WA – Two men were sentenced to life in federal prison on Wednesday for their roles in a double murder on the Colville Reservation and home invasions in Lapwai.
Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker announced that 24-year-old Zachary L. Holt and 36-year-old Dezmonique D. Tenzsley were sentenced on February 26th, in Spokane, Washington. Both were convicted of multiple charges, including felony murder in Indian Country, attempted murder of a federal officer, and several firearm offenses. The convictions followed a jury trial in November 2024.
According to court documents, Holt and Tenzsley were involved in a six-week crime spree starting in September 2022 in northern Idaho and continuing into eastern Washington. Their crimes included home invasions and robbery. On October 20, 2022, they shot and killed Gale and Jeremy Neal during an attempted robbery in Keller, Washington.
Later that evening, while attempting to flee the area, Holt fired at law enforcement officers, striking a Colville Tribal Police Sergeant in the forearm. Tenzsley assisted by reloading firearm magazines during the pursuit.
Following the killings and attempted murder, Holt, Tenzsley, and an accomplice, Curry Pinkham, attempted to hide their vehicle and weapons before fleeing on foot. Holt was later arrested after a confrontation with a concerned citizen.
Investigators linked Holt and Tenzsley to other violent crimes, including home invasions in Lapwai, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. During a home invasion on October 12, 2022, they assaulted multiple victims and shot a dog in the face. The dog survived the gunshot.
Officials involved in the case emphasized the impact of the crimes on multiple communities. Colville Tribal Chairman Jarred Michael Erickson stated that the events caused significant grief and fear, but justice had been served.
The investigation was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Colville Tribal Police Department, the FBI, the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department, and the Latah County Sheriff’s Office.
Both Holt and Tenzsley will serve life sentences in federal prison.
