U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Investigates Suspected Child Sexual Abuse

ALBUQUERQUE – The FBI is investigating allegations of child sexual abuse involving a minor against a man in Vanderwagen, New Mexico.

Nolin Leupp, 26, appeared before a federal judge and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled, on charges of receiving child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, on December 8, 2024, a witness reported a suspected sexual assault involving Leupp and a minor victim. The witness further disclosed concerning communications between Leupp and the victim, including Snapchat messages of a sexual nature and plans to meet late at night.

During a subsequent interview on December 19, 2024, Leupp admitted to a romantic relationship with the minor. A search of Leupp’s phone revealed four videos of suspected child sexual abuse material, downloaded from Discord and Snapchat.

If convicted of the current charges, Leupp faces a mandatory minimum of 5 and up to 20 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case as part of as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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