A White Mountain Apache Tribal Police officer, Karl Eugene Leslie, was arrested in Canyon Day on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation following a federal indictment. Leslie, 42, of Whiteriver, Arizona, faces 15 counts including Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping (including one count involving a victim under 18), Sexual Abuse through Fear, Sexual Abuse through Coercion, and Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law.
According to the indictment returned on December 23, 2025, Leslie allegedly committed these offenses while serving as an active law enforcement officer with the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department between April 2007 and June 2024. The alleged crimes occurred from December 1, 2020 through September 25, 2023. Prosecutors state that Leslie forcibly raped and kidnapped two victims—one a minor—and twice engaged in sexual acts with a third victim by threatening her and placing her in fear. All three victims are members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe.
The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office is seeking information about additional potential victims. Individuals with relevant information or who may be victims are encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or visit https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-karl-leslie-investigation.
If convicted on any charge of Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Kidnapping, Sexual Abuse through Fear or Coercion, or Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, Leslie could face up to life imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 per count. The kidnapping charge involving a minor carries a mandatory minimum sentence of twenty years.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Phoenix Pinetop-Lakeside office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dimitra H. Sampson (Flagstaff) and Lindsay L. Short (Phoenix), District of Arizona are prosecuting the case.
"An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona: http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
