Kirtland, N.M., Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Sexual Assault Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Hareldo Horse, 31, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Kirtland, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning to an indictment charging him with sexual assault under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Horse was arrested on March 11, 2013, on an indictment charging him with sexually assaulting a woman in a location within the Navajo Indian Reservation on Oct. 20, 2012.  He has been in federal custody since that time.  During his plea hearing this morning, Horse pleaded guilty to the indictment and admitted inappropriately touching the victim’s genitals at a time when the victim was physically in capable of declining to participate in the sexual act.

Horse remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.  At sentencing, Horse faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.  Horse also will be required to register as a sex offender.

            This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec.