A new federal law is being applied for the first time in a hate crimes case in New Mexico.

Three men have been charged under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. They are accused of kidnapping Vincent Kee, a 22-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, branding a swastika on his arm, shaving a swastika into the back of his head and writing "White Power" and anti-Indian remarks on his body.

Attorney General Eric Holder discussed the case at the 12th National Indian Nations Conference on Thursday.

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