MAN FROM COUNSELOR, N.M. PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUAL ABUSE OF A MINOR IN INDIAN COUNTRY

            ALBUQUERQUE – Nathanial Atencio, 24, of Counselor, N.M., pleaded guilty in federal court in Albuquerque today to a charge of sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country.

            A grand jury previously returned an indictment against Atencio on January 29, 2019.  According Atencio’s plea agreement, he committed this crime in Sandoval County sometime between November 1, 2016, and November 8, 2016.  Atencio engaged in a sexual act with a 14-year-old girl who became pregnant and gave birth to a child.  Atencio is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation where this crime occurred.    

            Atencio is currently out of custody pending sentencing.  He faces up to 15 years in prison.

            The Farmington office of the FBI investigated this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Jaros is prosecuting the case.