ALBUQUERQUE - Thomas Abeyta, 35, of Alamo, N.M., made an initial appearance in federal court today on charges of aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country.
According to a criminal complaint, Abeyta physically assaulted the victim at a residence on Jan. 25, 2019. Abeyta injected the victim with a substance and sexually abused her over the course of several hours. The victim later went to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. Hospital staff reported the matter to law enforcement. Investigators have not confirmed the nature of the substance Abeyta injected into the victim.
If convicted, Abeyta faces up to life in prison. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
The Albuquerque office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick Mendenhall is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
