Man from Gallup arraigned on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child in Indian Country

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Armando Segovia, 31, of Gallup, New Mexico, was arraigned today in federal court on an indictment charging him with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child who had not attained the age of 12. A federal grand jury indicted Segovia on April 14. Segovia will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 24.

            According to the indictment, on or about July 1, 2016, and Nov. 1, 2016, Segovia, who is non-Indian, allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe, in Indian Country in McKinley County, New Mexico. The victim is an Indian by law.

            An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Segovia faces a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison.

           The FBI investigated this case jointly with the Gallup Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Van Deventer is prosecuting the case.