Tohono O’odham Woman Sentenced to 5 Years for Child Abuse

     PHOENIX – Today, Rosalee Vavages, 55, of Sacaton, Ariz., a member of the Tohono O’odham Indian Nation, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John J. Tuchi to 63 months in prison. Vavegas had previously pleaded guilty to child abuse, likely to produce death or serious bodily injury. Previously, co-defendant Ernestine Jefferson, 74, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, also after pleading guilty to child abuse. Victims are current members of the Tohono O’odham Indian Nation and the offenses occurred on the Gila River Indian Community.

     The investigation in this case was conducted by the Gila River Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution was handled by Raynette Logan, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR-16-1242-PHX-JJT

RELEASE NUMBER: 2017-059_Vavages

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