Raymond Lapahie, Sexual Assault of a Minor, New Mexico 2025

A Newcomb man has been charged with a heinous crime that will send shockwaves through the community.

Raymond Lapahie, 18, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly engaged in multiple sexual acts with a minor between July and August 2025.

According to court documents, Lapahie is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse by use of force and one count of abusive sexual contact.

This disturbing case was investigated by the Farmington Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case, and Acting 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.

Lapahie will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of all charges, he faces up to life in prison, a minimum of five years of supervised release upon release from prison, and mandatory sex-offender registration.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Sex Crimes

Randy Martell Ballard, Sex Trafficking of Children, California 2012

Jul 23, 2015

Sex Crimes

Jhon Astudillo, Attempted Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, Florida 2024

Aug 20, 2024

Sex Crimes

Jerod Schaffer, Child Exploitation, New York 2023

Aug 20, 2025

Sex Crimes

Michael W. Diebold, Child Predator, Pennsylvania 2018

Sep 27, 2020