Federal prosecutors have filed additional charges against Labar Tsethlikai, a member of Zuni Pueblo, for a series of violent crimes in New Mexico. The new charges include five counts of kidnapping and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, targeting Native American men between 2022 and 2024.

Tsethlikai, 51, is now facing a total of 17 charges. The second superseding indictment includes the following counts: "Count 5: Kidnapping of John Doe 3 on or about May 19, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico; Count 11: Kidnapping of John Doe 6 on or about August 24, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico; Count 12: Assault with a dangerous weapon (baseball bat) against John Doe 6 on or about August 24, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico; Count 13: Kidnapping of John Doe 7 on or about September 7, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County, New Mexico; Count 14: Kidnapping of John Doe 8 on or about September 15, 2023, in Indian Country, McKinley County; Count16: Kidnapping of John Doe10 on or about April5 ,2024,in Bernalillo County."

Initially charged with second-degree murder on April25 ,2024,Tsethlikai was later indicted by a federal grand jury with multiple other offenses. These include two counts of kidnapping resulting in death and first-degree murder among others. If convicted,Tsethlikai could face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda from the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office announced these developments. The investigation is led by Special Agent Mark Stephenson with assistance from various local law enforcement units.

Authorities continue to investigate potential additional victims linked to Tsethlikai's activities. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI.

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Outreach Program aimed at addressing such cases through collaboration across multiple jurisdictions.