Brandon Yazzie, Aggravated Sexual Abuse, New Mexico 2020

A 28-year-old Navajo man has been charged with the heinous crime of aggravated sexual abuse of a child in Indian Country.

Brandon Yazzie, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was arraigned in federal court on April 28 on a four-count indictment charging him with three counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of abusive sexual contact.

According to the indictment and other court records, on at least two occasions between December 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, Yazzie allegedly sexually abused the victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe, who was less than 12 years old.

On one occasion, Yazzie allegedly engaged in and caused sexual contact with the victim. The alleged crimes were committed at his father’s residence in Standing Rock on the Navajo Nation.

A federal grand jury indicted Yazzie on April 12. If convicted, Yazzie faces up to life in prison for abusive sexual contact and a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison for aggravated sexual abuse.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Avondale (Arizona) Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Alexander F. Flores is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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