Shiprock, N.M., Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Sexual Abuse Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Jack Belin, Jr., 59, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, N.M., pled guilty this morning to an abusive sexual contact charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Belin was arrested on Oct. 11, 2012, based on an indictment charging him with two counts of abusive sexual contact. According to the indictment, Belin committed the offenses on July 18, 2012, in Indian Country (the Navajo Indian Reservation), in San Juan County, N.M.

During this morning’s proceedings, Belin pled guilty to Count 2 of the indictment. In his plea agreement, Belin admitted that on July 18, 2012, he intentionally touched the genitals and buttocks of his victim without the victim’s consent.

Belin was remanded into the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after entering his guilty plea. He will be detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled. At sentencing, Belin faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison, and will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.

This case was investigated by the Shiprock Division of the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson.