Navajo Woman from Albuquerque Sentenced for Federal Child Abuse Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Kelly James, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to three years of probation for her conviction on a misdemeanor child abuse charge.  In addition to the mandatory conditions of her probation, James will be required to complete substance abuse counseling, childcare classes and refrain from the use of alcohol.

James was arrested in May 2017, on an indictment charging her with engaging in child abuse by operating a motor vehicle recklessly on Dec. 8, 2016, on the Isleta Pueblo in Valencia County, N.M.

On June 13, 2017, James entered a guilty plea to the indictment.  In entering the guilty plea, James admitted that on Dec. 8, 2016, she operated a motor vehicle recklessly within the Isleta Pueblo while under the influence of alcohol.  James further admitted that her actions endangered the health and wellbeing of the child who was a passenger in the vehicle. 

This case was investigated by the Isleta Pueblo Tribal Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa C. Dimas.