Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
A Mescalero man has admitted to sexually assaulting a minor, according to recent court documents. Thomas Lee Chaffins, 35, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, confessed to the crime involving a 15-year-old girl. The incident took place on September 27, 2024, in Otero County, New Mexico, within the boundaries of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.
Chaffins is currently detained and awaits sentencing, for which a date has not yet been determined. He could face up to 15 years in prison upon sentencing.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Alyson Hehr are handling the prosecution.
