Clyde Peterson, Child Sex Abuse, New Mexico 2014

ALBUQUERQUE — Clyde Peterson, a 46-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Yahtahey, N.M., has entered a guilty plea in federal court for sexually abusing a minor on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The charge stems from incidents occurring between June 1, 2014, and Aug. 31, 2014, where Peterson is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim, who was between 12 and 16 years old at the time.

According to court documents, Peterson was arrested on April 18, 2016, and now faces a sentence of 21 months behind bars followed by supervised release. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.

This disturbing case has been investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and is being prosecuted under the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in New Mexico. This initiative, sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women, aims to bolster tribal prosecutors’ ability to handle federal cases involving crimes against Native women.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is handling the prosecution of this case. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled for Peterson.

The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project is part of a broader effort by the Justice Department to enhance public safety in tribal communities, particularly in combating violence against women. The project was developed through input from annual tribal consultations on issues related to violence against Native women.

Despite the gravity of this offense, it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by tribal communities in New Mexico and across the nation.

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