Santa Ana Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Rape Charges

ALBUQUERQUE – A stunning guilty plea was entered today by Anthony Montoya, 33, an enrolled member of the Santa Ana Pueblo and a resident of Bernalillo, N.M. The court heard that Montoya sexually abused three women, two in 2014 and one in 2016, violating them at the Santa Ana Pueblo in Sandoval County.

Under a plea agreement, Montoya is facing a 168-month prison sentence followed by 15 years of supervised release. He will also have to register as a sex offender upon completing his sentence, ensuring his presence on public records.

The charges were brought forth by Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, Special Agent in Charge William McClure of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services, Chief William Kurth of the Santa Ana Pueblo Tribal Police Department, and Sandoval County Sheriff Douglas C. Wood. Montoya was initially arrested on June 20, 2016.

During the hearing, Montoya confessed to raping two women in separate incidents. He remains in custody as a sentencing date has not been set, yet another harsh blow for the victims who were physically unable to refuse his advances.

This harrowing case was investigated by the Southern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services, the Santa Ana Pueblo Tribal Police Department, and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Spindle is handling the prosecution.

The case falls under the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in New Mexico, a Justice Department initiative aiming to bolster federal and tribal prosecution of violent crimes against Native women. This project, largely based on tribal consultations, underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to improving public safety within tribal communities.

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