Zuni Pueblo Woman Sentenced for Federal Child Abuse Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Marlee Joy Pinto, 20, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., for her child abuse conviction. Pinto will be on probation for three years during which time she will be required to comply with special conditions which require that she complete an in-patient alcohol rehabilitation program and parenting classes.

Pinto was arrested in July 2016, on an indictment charging her with engaging in child abuse by operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol on March 14, 2016, in Indian Country in Cibola County, N.M.

Pinto pled guilty to the indictment on June 30, 2016, without the benefit of a plea agreement.

This case was investigated by the Laguna/Acoma Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services with assistance from the Acoma Pueblo Tribal Police Department and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy prosecuted the case.