Shirley urges support for convicted Cody

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2002

Navajo Nation President-elect Joe Shirley Jr. said the tribe should support former Miss Navajo Nation Radmilla A. Cody, who will serve 21 months in prison for her role in an international drug ring.

In remarks televised on KOB-TV, a New Mexico station, last night, Shirley said: "And, yes, she's come up short of what is expected of her as an individual person, as a young lady, but we should be there for her, giving her support as a nation and as a family."

Cody was Miss Navajo Nation, an official tribal representative, from 1997 to 1998. During this time, she was involved in a drug-smuggling ring that authorities saw was led by her ex-boyfriend.

Cody in court statements and a letter published in The Navajo Times said she was in a six-year abusive relationship with Darrell Dwight Bellamy. He will be sentenced next month for distributing drugs and money laundering.

Get the Story:
Former Miss Navajo Nation to serve prison time (KOB-TV 12/10)
Ex-Miss Navajo to begin serving sentence on drug-related charge (AP 12/10)
Former Miss Navajo enters drug plea (AP 12/11)

Relevant Documents:
Navajo Times Letter (December 5, 2002) | Plea Agreement (March 14, 2002) | Sentence for 21 Months (November 13, 2002)

Relevant Links:
Darrell Dwight Bellamy, 15 Most Wanted - http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/wanted/bellamy.html
Miss Radmilla Cody - http://www.navajoland.com/missnn/millie
Miss Navajo Nation - http://www.missnavajo.org
Native American Music Awards - http://www.nammys.com

Related Stories:
Miss Navajo Nation sentenced (12/10)