Isleta Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Abuse

Isleta Pueblo, N.M. — Juan Larry Lujan, 63, admitted in federal court to sexually abusing a child under the age of 12, caving to federal charges that have hung over him since his arrest in February 2016. The grim confession came during a plea hearing in Santa Fe, where Lujan, a lifelong resident and tribal member of Isleta Pueblo, pled guilty to abusive sexual contact—a felony charge carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The crime occurred on tribal land in Valencia County, where federal jurisdiction applies in major criminal cases. According to court documents, Lujan admitted to sexually abusing the young victim between November 30, 2011, and November 30, 2013. The exact details of the abuse were not disclosed in open court, but the charge of abusive sexual contact involves intentional sexual touching of a minor under 12, a crime that federal prosecutors treat with zero tolerance.

Lujan was originally indicted in 2016 on broader charges of child sexual abuse, but the case was resolved through a felony information plea agreement. By entering a guilty plea, he waived his right to trial and accepted responsibility for the crime. His sentencing, which could land him behind bars for life, has not yet been scheduled.

The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office led the investigation, digging into allegations that had festered in the tight-knit Pueblo community for years. Agents worked closely with tribal authorities and federal prosecutors to build a case that ultimately forced Lujan to confront the consequences of his actions. The probe was part of Project Safe Childhood, a DOJ initiative launched in 2006 to target child predators with coordinated federal, state, and local force.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Spindle prosecuted the case, representing the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico. As part of the plea agreement, Lujan will be required to register as a sex offender for life—a public designation that follows him long after any prison term ends. The registration ensures law enforcement and communities are aware of his criminal history.

Project Safe Childhood continues to prioritize cases like this across the country, focusing on both internet-fueled exploitation and in-person abuse on tribal and rural lands. With resources from the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, federal prosecutors are intensifying efforts to root out predators hiding in plain sight. For more information, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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