A White Mountain Apache Tribal Police officer has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse and kidnapping, according to federal authorities. Karl Eugene Leslie, 42, of Whiteriver, Arizona, was taken into custody in Canyon Day on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation after a federal indictment was issued.
Leslie faces a 15-count indictment that includes charges of 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. The indictment alleges that between December 1, 2020, and September 25, 2023, Leslie committed these offenses while serving as an on-duty law enforcement officer with the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department. He is accused of forcibly raping and kidnapping two victims—one a minor—and twice engaging 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 investigating the case and believes there may be additional victims. The agency encourages anyone with information or who may be a potential victim to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or visit its seeking victim page at https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/victim-services/seeking-victim-information/seeking-victim-information-in-karl-leslie-investigation.
If convicted on charges such as Aggravated Sexual Abuse or Kidnapping, Leslie could face up to life imprisonment and fines up to $250,000. The charge for Kidnapping-Victim Under 18 carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years.
The investigation was led by the FBI Phoenix Pinetop-Lakeside office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dimitra H. Sampson (Flagstaff) and Lindsay L. Short (Phoenix), both from the 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."
More information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
