Brian Begay, Sexual Abuse of a Minor, New Mexico 2023

A Shiprock man has been convicted of a heinous crime that has left a young girl’s life forever changed. Brian Begay, 30, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a minor over a four-year period.

According to court documents, Begay engaged in a pattern of sexual abuse against Jane Doe between 2015 and 2019, beginning when the victim was 12 and continuing until she was 16. This prolonged abuse has had a devastating impact on the victim’s life, causing her immense emotional trauma and distress.

Begay pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact, and faces up to life in prison at sentencing. The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of the crime, and serves as a warning to those who would commit similar acts.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of this initiative, and the need for continued efforts to protect our children from predators.

Begay’s actions have left a lasting impact on the victim’s life, and serve as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of child sexual abuse. As a society, we must come together to prevent such crimes from occurring, and to support those who have been affected by them.

Defendant: Brian Begay

Criminal Charges: Sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact

City and State: Shiprock, New Mexico

Date: 2015-2019

Sentence: Up to life in prison at sentencing

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