Mescalero Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man was sentenced to 36 months in prison for sexually abusing a minor.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, in February of 2022, Carlos Caje, 37, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, engaged in sexual contact with a minor under the age of 12.

Caje pled guilty to abusive sexual contact. Upon his release from prison, Caje will be subject to 15 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office made the announcement today.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson K. Dering V and Joni Stahl prosecuted the case.