ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Larry Nathaniel, 64, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty in federal court in Albuquerque on Feb. 2 to a charge of Abusive Sexual Contact in Indian Country.
A grand jury previously returned an indictment against Nathaniel on Sept. 25, 2019. According to the indictment and other court records, Nathaniel committed the offense in San Juan County on the Navajo Nation on or about Feb. 24, 2019. Nathaniel held down the victim by the arm and touched her genitalia. At the time of the assault, the victim was ten years old.
Nathaniel is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces five to 10 years in prison.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Jaros is prosecuting the case.