Ben John Martinez, Child Sexual Abuse, New Mexico 2023

Taos Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Abuse

A 76-year-old Taos Pueblo man pleaded guilty in federal court today to three counts of sexual abuse of children.

Ben John Martinez, an enrolled member of Taos Pueblo, admitted to exploiting his traditional roles in Taos Pueblo to sexually assault minors during traditional ceremonies and at his home on Taos Pueblo between 2001 and 2010.

Martinez used his position to gain unsupervised access to children, including John Doe, Jane Doe 1, and Jane Doe 2, as well as other currently known victims as described in the plea agreement.

The investigation, led by the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety, uncovered Martinez’s crimes against children.

The FBI continues to investigate Martinez’s involvement in crimes against other victims. If you have reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim, please call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or Chief Summer Mirabal of the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety at (575) 741-0764.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

At sentencing, Martinez faces 15-40 years imprisonment, pending the court’s decision. The case is being prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS.

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