MAN FROM PUEBLO PINTADO, N.M., PLEADS GUILTY TO AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE IN INDIAN COUNTRY

ALBUQUERQUE – Presley Dexter Sandoval, 25, of Pueblo Pintado, N.M., pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to committing aggravated sexual abuse against a child within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation.

Sandoval entered a plea of guilty to an information charging him with committing the offense in McKinley County between January 1, 2013, and September 30, 2015.  According to court documents, Sandoval engaged in forcible sexual acts with the child at a residence on at least two separate occasions. 

Sandoval is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation.  He is currently in custody awaiting sentencing and faces a maximum term of life in prison.    

            The Gallup office of the FBI investigated the case.   Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Cowen, Allison Jaros, and Jennifer Rozzoni are prosecuting the case.