A Reno man has been indicted and arraigned on a charge of second-degree murder in the 2022 killing of Anna Scott.
According to the indictment and statements made in court, prosecutors allege that on or about Feb. 2, 2022, Delshay Astor participated in Scott’s murder on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony.
Scott, a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, was shot and killed.
Authorities allege her body was then placed in her vehicle, which was set on fire.
Astor was indicted in U.S. District Court in Reno on May 28 on charges of second-degree murder within Indian Country and aiding and abetting.
He made his initial appearance in court June 3 and entered a plea of not guilty.
During the arraignment hearing, the Federal Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Astor.
A calendar call was set for July 14, and a jury trial is scheduled to begin Aug. 4.
Magistrate Judge Carla Baldwin ordered Astor to remain in the Washoe County Jail pending trial.
The judge also issued an order sealing the case.
According to the indictment, the grand jury alleges that Astor shot and killed Scott, who is identified in court documents only by her initials.
Scott, 23, was found inside a burned vehicle on southbound Interstate 580.
The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined her cause of death was a gunshot wound.
Scott’s family, friends and tribal community have continued to advocate for justice through rallies and public-awareness campaigns.
“We at the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe are pleased that after many years of silence and all hope seeming lost, that we have seen progress for this injustice,” Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Chairman Stephen Wadsworth said in a written statement.
“On behalf of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, we pray that the family of Anna Scott can begin a long healing process. Your pain and suffering stretching back over four years has always weighed heavily across our community and led to the continued efforts of never forgetting our missing and murdered loved ones.”
“This indictment reflects my office’s continued commitment to ensure that no victim is left behind, no matter how much time has passed,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah said in a written statement.
“It is my hope that our pursuit of justice and accountability for Anna’s gruesome death will bring some comfort to Anna’s family, friends and community.”
FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Christopher S. Delzotto said the agency remains committed to violent-crime investigations on tribal lands.
“We do not forget. We do not give up. And we will hold violent offenders accountable, no matter how long it takes,” Delzotto said.
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said Astor’s arraignment marks “an important step in finally delivering justice” to Scott’s family and community.
He noted the investigation spanned more than four years.
“The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office and our law enforcement partners did not forget, and we did not give up,” Balaam said, adding that the indictment would not have been possible without the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office.
If convicted, Astor faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.
A U.S. District Court judge will determine any sentence under federal sentencing guidelines.
The FBI and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, with operational support from the U.S. Marshals Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Penelope Brady is prosecuting the case.
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