Milton Patrick “Yogi” McGarva
Justice prevailed for Milton “Yogi” McGarva, a tribal citizen of Pit River, who was stabbed to death in March of 2020. California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently announced the sentencing of Jarrett Bleu Rucker to 26 years to life in prison for McGarva’s murder, marking a crucial development in the ongoing fight against the Missing Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis.
On March 9, 2020, when Modoc County Sheriff Deputies responded to a stabbing report at a residence on County Road 65 in Likely, California. Upon arrival, after a heated disagreement with one another they found McGarva fatally wounded, and Rucker injured, requiring urgent medical attention. The prosecution, led by the California Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, found Rucker to be guilty of first-degree murder on February 27, 2024.
“To say that I am pleased with the outcome of this case is an understatement,” said Modoc County Sheriff Tex Dowdy. “Justice has been done and my hope is that the McGarva family will have some peace with this verdict.”
In a press release provided by the Attorney General’s office “Today, I am thinking of the family of Milton ‘Yogi’ McGarva. I can’t begin to imagine what they have been through these past few years. My team fought hard to secure justice for them, and now, Yogi’s killer will be behind bars for a substantial amount of time,” said Attorney General Bonta. “At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to hold accountable those who terrorize any of our neighborhoods, including our tribal communities that too often are overlooked.”
“If it wasn’t for the Attorney General’s Office, I don’t think we would have had this moment,” said Morning Star Gali, Executive Director of Indigenous Justice. “We are extremely grateful for all of the efforts involved to bring justice for Yogi and his family.”
After four years since this tragedy, our community can finally find comfort in that justice has now been served. It’s important to acknowledge the significance of achieving justice in cases like Yogi’s, especially during Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Awareness Week. Keeping Indigenous communities safe is crucial, and raising awareness about the issues they face is a meaningful step toward achieving that goal. Let us continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our Indigenous communities.
