ALBUQUERQUE - Kelly James, 34, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to a child abuse charge. Under the terms of the plea agreement, James will be sentenced to a term of probation to be determined by the court.
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.
During today’s proceedings, 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. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Isleta Pueblo Tribal Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa C. Dimas.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
