Randell Lonjose, Kidnapping and Aggravated Sexual Abuse, New Mexico 2017

New Mexico Man Sentenced to 22 Years for Kidnapping and Sex Abuse

ALBUQUERQUE – Randell Lonjose, a 35-year-old man from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to federal kidnapping and sexual abuse charges. The charges stem from an incident on August 14, 2017, when Lonjose allegedly forced his way into a woman’s vehicle on Zuni Pueblo in McKinley County, New Mexico.

According to the criminal complaint, Lonjose brandished a knife at the victim and instructed her to drive to a deserted area. There, he forced her out of the vehicle and committed a sexual act against her will. The victim managed to escape after Lonjose attempted to choke and strangle her.

Lonjose was arrested on August 23, 2017, and later indicted on September 21, 2017, with carjacking, kidnapping, and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse. As part of a plea agreement, Lonjose pleaded guilty to kidnapping and one count of aggravated sexual abuse.

During his guilty plea, Lonjose admitted to forcing his way into the victim’s vehicle, threatening her with a knife, and attempting to choke and strangle her when she did not comply with his demands. He also acknowledged that the crimes took place on Zuni Pueblo.

Lonjose will be required to register as a sex offender after completing his 22-year prison sentence. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

The case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and the Zuni Pueblo Tribal Police Department. The Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project, sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women, is also working to train tribal prosecutors in federal law and investigative techniques to combat violence against Native women.

The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was driven largely by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women and is another step in the Justice Department’s efforts to increase engagement, coordination, and action on public safety in tribal communities.

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