Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
A Taos Pueblo man has pleaded guilty in a federal court to three counts of child sexual abuse. Ben John Martinez, 76, an enrolled member of Taos Pueblo, admitted to using his traditional roles within the community to sexually assault minors during ceremonies and at his home from 2001 to 2010. Court documents reveal that Martinez exploited his position to gain unsupervised access to children, including victims identified as John Doe, Jane Doe 1, and Jane Doe 2.
Martinez is currently in custody awaiting sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. He faces a potential prison term ranging from 15 to 40 years.
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 case was investigated by the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with help from the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety.
Assistant United States Attorney Brittany J. DuChaussee is prosecuting the case under Project Safe Childhood. This initiative was launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse by marshaling resources at federal, state, and local levels.
The FBI continues its investigation into Martinez's involvement with other victims. Anyone who suspects they or someone they know may be a victim is urged to contact the FBI or Chief Summer Mirabal of the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety.
