A Mescalero man pleaded guilty on Mar. 13 to engaging in sexual acts with a minor, according to an announcement by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office.
The case involves Deverne Torres, Jr., 45, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, who admitted to performing multiple sex acts with Jane Doe, a minor under the age of 16, between December 2019 and February 2021.
Torres pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor and faces up to 15 years in prison at sentencing. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tanisha V. Henson and Kirk Williams are prosecuting.
Authorities are seeking additional information regarding other potential victims. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has asked anyone with relevant information to contact them at (575) 464-4479.
The investigation highlights ongoing efforts by federal agencies to address crimes involving minors within tribal communities.
