Navajo man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of a minor

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Christian Apachito pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor on Feb. 15, 2023. Apachito, 28, of Tohajiilee, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

In his plea agreement, Apachito admitted that on or about November 11, 2020, he engaged in a sexual act with the victim, identified as Jane Doe. The victim is also a member of the Navajo Nation and was at least the age of 12 years but not yet 16 years old at the time. The abuse took place on the Navajo Nation.

By the terms of the plea agreement, Apachito faces not more than 15 years in prison and must register as a sex offender.

This case was investigated by the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly N. Bell and Mark Pfizenmayer are prosecuting the case.

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