ALBUQUERQUE - Ryan Kee Jones, 25, of Yatahey, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court on Sept. 16, 2020, on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country.
According to the criminal complaint, during the spring of 2018, Jones sexually assaulted a minor, who was approximately 12-years old at the time. Over the next several months, according to the complaint, he allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times. The abuse took place in Yatahey, New Mexico, in McKinley County, within the exterior boundaries of the Navajo Nation.
Jones was arrested on Sept. 15. He is currently in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing. Jones faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years’ imprisonment if convicted of the charged offense.
Criminal complaints are only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Gallup office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rozzoni is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
